lémurien
masculine
The French word for lemur is lémurien. Wiktionary also lists lémur.
Meaning: strepsirrhine primate of the infraorder Lemuriformes, superfamily Lemuroidea (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lémurien | masculine | |
| lémur | /le.myʁ/ | masculine |
This term refers to the strepsirrhine primate of the infraorder Lemuriformes and superfamily Lemuroidea.
Which one should you use?
While lémur is used, lémurien is the more common and standard term for the animal in a general or scientific context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the common term lémurien is formed by adding an s to create lémuriens.
Did you know?
- The word lémurien shares a root with the Latin lemures, which were the restless spirits of the dead in Roman mythology.
- French textbooks often group lémuriens with tarsiers under the broader umbrella of primates inférieurs, a term rarely used in modern English.
- French speakers can use lémurien as an adjective to describe anything related to the animal, such as une forêt lémurienne.
Examples in context
- Les lémuriens sont des créatures fascinantes.Lemurs are fascinating creatures.
- As-tu déjà observé un sifaka à Madagascar ?Have you ever seen a sifaka in Madagascar?
- Le lémurien est un animal très agile.The lemur is a very agile animal.
- J'ai vu un lémurien dans le zoo.I saw a lemur in the zoo.
- Ce lémurien a de grands yeux.This lemur has big eyes.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature documentary on television.
- LucasRegarde ce petit lémurien sur l'écran !Look at that little lemur on the screen!
- LéaIl est vraiment mignon, Lucas.He is really cute, Lucas.
- LucasOui, il court très vite.Yes, he runs very fast.
- LéaC'est un animal fascinant.It is a fascinating animal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lemur” translations and entries lémurien, lémur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
