esquimau
/ɛs.ki.mo/
The English phrase ice pop is translated into French as esquimau.
An esquimau is a frozen treat on a stick. While it is a general term for an ice pop, it is frequently used to refer specifically to a popsicle made with a creamy base.
Which one should you use?
If you are referring specifically to a treat made of flavored water rather than a creamy base, you should use glace à l'eau.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of esquimau is esquimaux.
How do you pronounce it?
esquimau is pronounced /ɛs.ki.mo/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- Using the term esquimau to describe a person or a group of people is considered highly offensive in many contexts, as it is a colonial term for Indigenous Arctic peoples.
- The French word esquimau is shared with the term for the indigenous people of the Arctic. The frozen treat was named this because it is meant to evoke the cold climate of the North.
- The word esquimau likely entered the French language in the 17th century via the Montagnais language.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je voudrais un esquimau, s'il vous plaît.Excuse me, I would like an ice pop, please.
- Un esquimau au citron est très rafraîchissant.A lemon ice pop is very refreshing.
- Tu veux un esquimau pour le dessert ?Do you want an ice pop for dessert?
- Il reste un esquimau dans le congélateur.There is one ice pop left in the freezer.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are sitting in a park on a hot afternoon.
- LucasIl fait trop chaud pour marcher.It is too hot to walk.
- ManonOn pourrait manger un esquimau ?Could we eat an ice pop?
- LucasC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is an excellent idea, Manon.
- ManonJe vais chercher les glaces.I will go get the ice cream treats.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esquimau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esquimau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
