alcool
/al.kɔl/
In French, liquor is translated as alcool.
The word alcool refers to a strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation. To specify that you are talking about hard liquor or high-proof spirits, you should use the phrase alcools forts.
Meaning: strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'liquor' can sometimes be used as a mass noun for the substance, in French, alcool is primarily used as an uncountable mass noun to refer to the substance itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form alcools is commonly used to refer to different types of spirits or hard liquors. When used in a phrase, note that un verre d'alcool uses the masculine form, while une bouteille d'alcool uses the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /al.kɔl/ and it has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the French word liqueur to mean 'liquor'. In French, une liqueur refers specifically to a sweet, flavored liqueur rather than hard spirits.
Did you know?
- The French word alcool shares a surprising history with the word for black eye makeup. It originates from the Arabic word al-kuḥl, which refers to 'kohl', a powder used to darken the eyes.
- In France, alcool can be used in the phrase alcoolisé to describe not only a person who is drunk but also a food or a product that contains alcohol.
- While alcool refers to the substance, the French use the term spiritueux to describe the category of distilled spirits in a professional or commercial context.
Examples in context
- Je sais tenir l'alcool.I can hold my liquor.This sentence is useful for practicing the ability to hold one's liquor using alcool.Tatoeba #13266372 by lbdx, translation #257201 by CM
- Son haleine puait l'alcool.His breath reeked of liquor.This sentence is useful for describing breath that smells of alcool.Tatoeba #9150304 by lbdx, translation #5389369 by Hybrid
- J'arrête les alcools forts.I'm giving up hard liquor.This sentence is useful for expressing the act of giving up alcools.Tatoeba #13613304 by Rovo, translation #12896313 by rul
- Je voudrais un verre d'alcool, s'il vous plaîtI would like a glass of liquor, please.
- Pouvez-vous me recommander une bonne eau-de-vie?Can you recommend a good liquor?
- Ce restaurant propose des spiritueux de grande qualitéThis restaurant offers high-quality liquor.
- Allons boire de l'alcool ce soir!Let's go have some liquor tonight!
- On peut acheter une bouteille d'alcool fort pour notre fête?Can we buy a bottle of strong liquor for our party?
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are at a bar.
- ManonTu veux boire un peu d'alcool ce soir ?Do you want to drink some alcohol tonight?
- LucasNon, je ne consomme pas d'alcool.No, I don't consume alcohol.
- ManonAh, je comprends, tu es sage, Lucas.Ah, I understand, you are being wise, Lucas.
- LucasOui, je préfère rester concentré.Yes, I prefer to stay focused.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry alcool, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcool, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
