camion de glaces
The English phrase "ice cream truck" is translated into French as camion de glaces.
This noun refers to a vehicle used for selling ice cream.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of camion (truck), de (of) and glaces (ice creams).
How does it change in a sentence?
While camion de glaces using the plural is common, using the singular camion de glace is also grammatically acceptable to refer to the product type.
Did you know?
- The term glace is a homonym that can refer to an ice cream, a block of ice, or even a mirror. This means that a camion de glaces could, quite literally, be interpreted as a 'truck of mirrors' if the context is missing.
- The word camion may be related to the Ancient Greek word khămoulkós, which referred to a crane or a machine used to drag things along the ground.
- If you are looking for ice cream in a French city, you should look for a glacier rather than a camion. A glacier is a specialized shop dedicated to making and selling ice cream, which is a much more common way to enjoy the dessert than a mobile truck.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, monsieur. Pouvez-vous me dire où se trouve le camion de glaces ?Pardon me, sir. Can you tell me where the ice cream truck is located?
- Regarde, le camion à glaces est là !Look, the ice cream truck is here!
- Le camion de glaces passe dans la rue.The ice cream truck is passing through the street.
- Le camion de glaces est garé au coin de la rue.The ice cream truck is parked at the corner of the street.
- J'entends la musique du camion de glaces.I hear the music from the ice cream truck.
- Le camion de glaces passe tous les samedis.The ice cream truck passes by every Saturday.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are walking in the park.
- ManonÉcoute Nathan, c'est le camion de glaces !Listen Nathan, it's the ice cream truck!
- NathanSuper ! On va acheter une glace ?Great! Shall we buy an ice cream?
- ManonOui, je veux un sorbet citron.Yes, I want a lemon sorbet.
- NathanD'accord, dépêchons-nous avant qu'il ne parte.Okay, let's hurry before it leaves.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries camion, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
