phare
/faʁ/masculine
The French word for lighthouse is phare.
The noun refers to a building containing a light used to warn or guide ships.
Meaning: building containing a light to warn or guide ships (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/faʁ/
Did you know?
- In a French car, the headlights are called les phares, meaning you are essentially driving with 'lighthouses' on your vehicle.
- The word phare is a direct descendant of the name of a specific Greek island, Pháros, where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was located.
- France has a specific civil service grade for lighthouse keepers called gardien du phare, a profession that has almost vanished due to automation.
Examples in context
- Veux-tu encore aller jusqu'au phare ?Do you still want to go to the lighthouse?This example shows how to ask about going to the phare.Tatoeba #1000084 by sacredceltic, translation #3348143 by _undertoad
- Le phare disparaît petit à petit au loin.The lighthouse is gradually disappearing into the distance.This example describes a phare disappearing in the distance.Tatoeba #1033602 by sacredceltic, translation #8319874 by AlanF_US
- Le rayon de visibilité du phare s'étend jusqu'à 30 km.The lighthouse can be seen from up to 30 km away.This example discusses the visibility range of a phare.Tatoeba #8735366 by Aiji, translation #13203364 by menaud
- J'adore le phare près de chez moiI love the lighthouse near my place
- Le bateau aperçoit l'amer et se dirige vers le phareThe boat spots the landmark and heads towards the lighthouse
- Ce phare est un symbole important de notre régionThis lighthouse is an important symbol of our region
- Le feu à l'entrée du port est un repère essentiel pour les marinsThe lighthouse at the entrance of the harbor is an essential landmark for sailors
- Hier, nous avons visité le phare de Bretagne.Yesterday, we visited the lighthouse in Brittany.
- Le phare de Cordouan est classé monument historique.The Cordouan lighthouse is classified as a historical monument.
- Les marins repèrent le feu de Cap-aux-Meules de loin.Sailors spot the lighthouse in Cap-aux-Meules from afar.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are walking along a coastal path.
- ChloéRegarde ce magnifique phare là-bas.Look at that magnificent lighthouse over there.
- HugoOui, il est vraiment impressionnant.Yes, it is truly impressive.
- ChloéEst-ce que le phare est ouvert aux visites ?Is the lighthouse open for visits?
- HugoJe pense que oui, allons vérifier.I think so, let's go check.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lighthouse” translations and entries phare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries phare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
