bocal
/bɔ.kal/masculine
The English word "jar" can be translated into French as bocal or pot.
Meaning: small, approximately cylindrical container (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bocal | /bɔ.kal/ | masculine |
| pot | /po/ /pɔ/ |
masculine |
Both terms refer to a small, approximately cylindrical container. When you want to specifically refer to a glass jar, the standard phrase is un bocal en verre.
Which one should you use?
Pot is a more general term for a small container and often implies a wider mouth or a container made of different materials, such as clay or plastic.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ.kal/
Did you know?
- While pot describes the container, the phrase pot-au-feu refers to a traditional beef stew, which literally translates to 'pot on the fire'.
- The word bocal is an Italian loanword, derived from boccale, which originally referred to a mug or a vessel used for drinking.
- In a playful or informal context, the word pot can refer to a shared drink or a round of drinks among friends.
Examples in context
- Le bocal est vide.The jar is empty.This sentence shows how to describe the state of a bocal.Tatoeba #11135130 by Aiji, translation #1490461 by fengli
- As-tu un pot Mason ?Do you have a Mason jar?This sentence uses pot to ask about a Mason jar.Tatoeba #10067984 by felix63, translation #10066989 by shekitten
- Le pot est à l'envers.The jar is upside down.This sentence describes the position of a pot.Tatoeba #9788445 by Gib, translation #9788136 by Amastan
- J'ai acheté un pot de confitureI bought a jar of jam
- J'ai préparé des fruits confits dans un bocalI prepared candied fruits in a jar
- La conserve est conservée dans un récipient en verreThe preserves are kept in a glass container
- J'ai trouvé un pot de miel dans la cuisine.I found a jar of honey in the kitchen.
- Je vais apporter un pot de confiture à notre pique-nique.I'm going to bring a jar of jam to our picnic.
- Est-ce que tu peux ouvrir le bocal de cornichons ?Can you open the pickle jar?
- J'ai acheté un récipient en verre pour conserver mes épices.I bought a glass container to store my spices.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, Nathan is helping Manon organize the pantry.
- NathanOù est le bocal de miel ?Where is the honey jar?
- ManonIl est dans le placard.It is in the cupboard.
- NathanEst-ce que ce bocal est propre ?Is this jar clean?
- ManonOui, il est tout neuf.Yes, it is brand new.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jar” translations and entries bocal, pot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bocal, pot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
