jerricane
/ʒɛ.ʁi.kan/masculine
The English phrase jerrycan is translated into French as jerricane. It is also spelled jerrican. Wiktionary also lists bidon.
Meaning: pressed-steel fuel container (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jerricane | /ʒɛ.ʁi.kan/ /ʒe.ʁi.kan/ |
masculine |
| jerrican | /ʒɛ.ʁi.kan/ /ʒe.ʁi.kan/ |
masculine, alternative form |
| bidon | /bi.dɔ̃/ | masculine |
A jerricane is a pressed-steel fuel container. In everyday French, people are more likely to use the word bidon followed by the liquid type rather than the technical term jerricane.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, bidon à essence is the more prevalent term.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʒɛ.ʁi.kan/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- French speakers use bidon to refer to the human stomach or belly in a playful or informal way.
- In French slang, bidon is used to describe something that is fake or a lie, such as a 'made-up' excuse.
- In French sports terminology, a bidon is specifically the water bottle used by cyclists during a race.
Examples in context
- Pouvez-vous m'aider à remplir mon bidon à essence?Can you help me fill my jerrycan?
- Le jerricane est plein d'essence.The jerrycan is full of gasoline.
- Il faut transporter ce jerricane.We need to carry this jerrycan.
- Où est le jerricane rouge ?Where is the red jerrycan?
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are preparing for a camping trip in the garage.
- NathanManon, tu as trouvé le jerricane ?Manon, did you find the jerrycan?
- ManonOui, il est dans le coffre.Yes, it is in the trunk.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il est lourd ?Is it heavy?
- ManonNon, le jerricane est presque vide.No, the jerrycan is almost empty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jerrycan” translations and entries jerricane, jerrican, bidon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
