briquet
/bʁi.kɛ/masculine
The English word 'lighter' (the fire-making device) is briquet in French.
briquet is the standard term for a device used to create a flame. If you are specifically referring to a device used to start fires in fireplaces or wood burners, the formal term is Allume-feu.
Meaning: fire-making device (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important not to confuse the noun briquet with the adjective for something that is lighter in weight or color, which would be plus léger or plus clair. In informal settings, you might also hear people refer to specific brands, such as Un clipper for a Clipper brand lighter or Un zippo for a Zippo brand lighter.
How does it change in a sentence?
briquet is a masculine noun and is used with the indefinite article un (e.g., un briquet).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bʁi.kɛ/. It has two syllables.
When do people say it?
In France, when asking someone for a lighter, it is polite to say Est-ce que vous auriez un briquet, s'il vous plaît? or Je peux vous emprunter votre briquet, s'il vous plaît?
Did you know?
- The word briquet shares its roots with the English word 'brick', as both stem from the Old French 'brique' referring to a small piece or fragment.
- In some French dialects, the term briquet can refer to a small piece of flint used to spark a fire, preserving its ancient meaning.
- While briquet is for portable devices, the term allume-feu literally translates to 'fire-lighter' and specifically describes the chemical starters used for logs.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous un briquet ?Have you got a lighter?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a lighter.Tatoeba #13748 by Lulantis, translation #29828 by shanghainese
- J'ai encore perdu ton briquet.I've lost your lighter again.This sentence is useful for saying you have lost someone's lighter.Tatoeba #5800080 by Toynop, translation #5790384 by Eccles17
- Puis-je emprunter ton briquet ?May I borrow your lighter?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a lighter.Tatoeba #2396859 by sacredceltic, translation #2396290 by CK
- Est-ce que vous auriez un briquet, s'il vous plaît?Do you have a lighter, please?
- T'aurais pas un briquet?Do you have a lighter?
- J'adore ton Zippo, il est super classe!I love your Zippo, it’s really classy!
- Hé, t'as un briquet?Hey, do you have a lighter?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are at a birthday party.
- HugoManon, est-ce que tu as un briquet ?Manon, do you have a lighter?
- ManonOui, je l'ai dans mon sac.Yes, I have it in my bag.
- HugoSuper, je veux allumer les bougies.Great, I want to light the candles.
- ManonTiens, voilà le briquet, Hugo.Here, here is the lighter, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lighter” translations and entries briquet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries briquet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
