tondeuse
/tɔ̃.døz/feminine
The English word lawnmower is tondeuse in French. Wiktionary also lists tondeuse à gazon.
Meaning: a device to cut grass (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tondeuse | /tɔ̃.døz/ | feminine |
| tondeuse à gazon | feminine |
The term refers to a device used to cut grass. You can use the full term tondeuse à gazon or the shortened version tondeuse. If you are specifically referring to an electric model, use tondeuse électrique.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tondeuse à gazon literally means 'mower for grass', composed of tondeuse (mower) and à gazon (for grass).
Which one should you use?
While tondeuse à gazon is the specific term for a lawnmower, the shortened form tondeuse is frequently used in context when the object of cutting grass is already understood.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both tondeuse and tondeuse à gazon are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɔ̃.døz/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- In French, if you use the word tondeuse without any qualifier, you might be talking about hair clippers rather than a lawnmower.
- The verb tondre used in tondeuse is the same verb used for shearing sheep, which is why the machine is literally a 'shearer'.
- The term gazon comes from the Frankish word *wasō, which originally referred to turf or a piece of ground covered with grass.
Examples in context
- Puis-je emprunter ta tondeuse à gazon ?May I borrow your lawnmower?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a tondeuse à gazon.Tatoeba #6573096 by GB3, translation #6352899 by CK
- J'ai besoin d'acheter une tondeuse à gazon pour entretenir mon jardin.I need to buy a lawnmower to maintain my garden.
- Où est-ce que je peux louer une tondeuse pour tondre ma pelouse ?Where can I rent a lawnmower to mow my lawn?
- Ma tondeuse électrique me facilite beaucoup le travail dans mon petit jardin.My electric lawnmower makes my work much easier in my small garden.
- La tondeuse est dans le garage.The lawnmower is in the garage.
- Il faut acheter une nouvelle tondeuse.We need to buy a new lawnmower.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are in the garden.
- EmmaOù est la tondeuse, Nathan ?Where is the lawnmower, Nathan?
- NathanElle est derrière la maison.It is behind the house.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais la chercher.Okay, I will go get it.
- NathanN'oublie pas l'essence.Don't forget the gas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lawnmower” translations and entries tondeuse, tondeuse à gazon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gazon, tondeuse, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
