Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jungle | /ʒœ̃ɡl/ /ʒɛ̃ɡl/ |
feminine |
| forêt vierge | /fɔ.ʁɛ vjɛʁʒ/ | feminine |
| forêt tropicale | /fɔ.ʁɛ tʁɔ.pi.kal/ | feminine |
The word jungle refers to a large, undeveloped and humid forest. It can be used metaphorically, such as une jungle, to describe a chaotic or overwhelming urban environment like a large city. The phrase la jungle urbaine is an informal expression used to describe the chaotic nature of urban environments. You can also use the idiom la loi de la jungle to describe a situation of ruthless competition or a lack of order, similar to the English phrase 'the law of the jungle'. Additionally, la végétation dense can be used to describe the dense vegetation characteristic of a jungle.
Which one should you use?
While jungle is often used metaphorically or to describe a chaotic environment, forêt tropicale is the standard, neutral term for a tropical forest.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun jungle is feminine in French, so it takes the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒœ̃ɡl/
Did you know?
- The word jungle in French is actually a loanword from English, rather than being an ancient French word.
- In French literature, the term jungle is often associated with the works of Rudyard Kipling, as the word gained popularity during the colonial era.
- While English speakers use 'jungle' to describe any thick forest, a French speaker using forêt vierge specifically implies the forest has never been touched by humans.
Examples in context
- Paris est une jungle.Paris is a jungle.This sentence shows how to use jungle metaphorically regarding a city.Tatoeba #10664156 by AutoBot, translation #10664149 by AutoBot
- Bienvenue dans la jungle.Welcome to the jungle.This sentence is a common way to welcome someone to the jungle using jungle.Tatoeba #10664191 by AutoBot, translation #10664190 by AutoBot
- C'est la loi de la jungle.This is the law of the jungle.This sentence demonstrates the idiom involving jungle.Tatoeba #11235182 by lbdx, translation #545601 by CM
- Je rêve de partir à l'aventure dans la jungle amazonienne.I dream of going on an adventure in the Amazon jungle.
- Les scientifiques étudient la faune et la flore de la forêt tropicale .Scientists study the fauna and flora of the tropical forest.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are looking at a travel brochure.
- ChloéRegarde ces photos de la jungle !Look at these photos of the jungle!
- HugoC'est magnifique, mais on a peur des insectes.It's magnificent, but we are afraid of insects.
- ChloéOn peut explorer la jungle à pied.We can explore the jungle on foot.
- HugoOui, Hugo veut essayer l'aventure !Yes, Hugo wants to try the adventure!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jungle” translations and entries jungle, forêt vierge, forêt tropicale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries forêt, jungle, vierge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
