ascenseur
/a.sɑ̃.sœʁ/masculine
The French word for lift is ascenseur.
ascenseur refers to a mechanical device used for the vertical transport of people or goods. It is the most prevalent term for lift in French and is used in both Canada and Europe.
Meaning: mechanical device for vertically transporting goods or people (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ascenseur is used for people, monte-charge is the specific term for a lift used exclusively for transporting goods. Additionally, élévateur can be used in formal situations, particularly when referring to industrial or freight elevators.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ascenseur is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.sɑ̃.sœʁ/
Did you know?
- The Latin root scandō found in ascenseur is also the ancestor of the English word 'scandal', originally meaning a stumbling block.
- The suffix '-eur' in ascenseur is a common way in French to turn a verb into a noun that describes the person or thing performing the action.
- In French, the action of taking the ascenseur is expressed using the verb prendre, just as one would 'take' a bus or a train.
Examples in context
- Où est l'ascenseur ?Where is the lift?This sentence is useful for asking the location of the ascenseur.Tatoeba #492340 by sacredceltic, translation #7983107 by deniko
- Où se trouve l'ascenseur ?Where's the lift?This sentence is useful for asking where the ascenseur is located.Tatoeba #492339 by sacredceltic, translation #7983111 by deniko
- Il y a un ascenseur là-bas.There's a lift over there.This sentence is useful for stating that there is an ascenseur in a certain location.Tatoeba #12420030 by zogwarg, translation #12420018 by sundown
- Prenez l'ascenseur jusqu'au quatrième étage.Take the lift to the fourth floor.
- L'entrepreneur a installé un élévateur pour faciliter le transport des marchandises.The contractor installed a lift to facilitate transportation of goods.
- Tu vas au centre-ville ? Monte, je te dépose en chemin.Are you going downtown? Hop in, I'll drop you off on my way.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are in a hotel lobby.
- NathanL'ascenseur est en panne.The lift is broken.
- EmmaC'est terrible, on monte à pied ?That's terrible, shall we walk up?
- NathanOui, prenons les escaliers.Yes, let's take the stairs.
- EmmaJ'espère que l'ascenseur sera réparé demain.I hope the lift will be repaired tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lift” translations and entries ascenseur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ascenseur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
