indigène
/ɛ̃.di.ʒɛn/
The English phrase indigenous translates to French as indigène, aborigène or autochtone.
Meaning: born or engendered in, native to a land or region (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| indigène | /ɛ̃.di.ʒɛn/ |
| aborigène | /a.bɔ.ʁi.ʒɛn/ |
| autochtone | /o.tɔk.tɔn/ /ɔ.tɔk.tɔn/ |
These terms are used to describe someone or something born in or native to a specific land or region.
Which one should you use?
While all three words can mean indigenous, they carry different connotations. autochtone is the preferred and most respectful term in modern political and sociological contexts. In contrast, indigène can carry a strong colonial or pejorative connotation in many French-speaking contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In French Polynesia, the term Maohi is used to refer to the indigenous Polynesian people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjectives indigène, aborigène and autochtone all take an s in their plural forms to agree with a plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃.di.ʒɛn/
Did you know?
- The word indigène was used in the French colonial 'Code de l'indigénat', a set of laws that denied native subjects full citizenship.
- The word autochtone literally breaks down to mean 'from the same earth' via its Ancient Greek roots, specifically linking 'auto' for 'self' and 'chthon' for 'earth'.
- The word aborigène is almost exclusively reserved for the use of 'Aboriginal' when referring specifically to the first peoples of Australia in French media.
Examples in context
- Les colons s'entichent souvent des femmes indigènes.Colonists often take a shine to indigenous women.This sentence is useful for seeing how indigène is used to describe women.Tatoeba #8984062 by lbdx, translation #796815 by papabear
- La population indigène a pris les armes contre les colons.The indigenous population took up arms against the settlers.This sentence shows the use of indigène when referring to a population.Tatoeba #12104664 by Amastan, translation #3879304 by Amastan
- Les colons ont tiré sur l'agriculteur indigène à bout portant.The settlers killed the indigenous farmer at close range.This sentence demonstrates the use of indigène to describe a farmer.Tatoeba #12104662 by Amastan, translation #10998106 by Amastan
- Les peuples autochtones du CanadaThe indigenous peoples of Canada
- Les populations aborigènes d'Amérique du SudThe indigenous populations of South America
- La population indigène du GroenlandThe indigenous population of Greenland
- Les natifs de la régionThe indigenous people of the region
- Les premières nations du QuébecThe indigenous peoples of Quebec
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are visiting a museum of natural history.
- HugoEst-ce que cette plante est indigène à cette région ?Is this plant indigenous to this region?
- ChloéOui, elle pousse naturellement ici depuis toujours.Yes, it has grown naturally here forever.
- HugoC'est fascinant de voir la flore indigène.It is fascinating to see the indigenous flora.
- ChloéJe suis d'accord avec toi, Hugo.I agree with you, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indigenous” translations and entries indigène, aborigène, autochtone, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aborigène, autochtone, indigène, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
