machine
/ma.ʃin/feminine
The English word machine is translated into French as machine.
The word refers to a mechanical or electrical device. You can specify the purpose of a machine by using the construction machine à [noun], where à indicates what the machine is for, such as in the phrase machine à café (coffee machine).
Meaning: mechanical or electrical device (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so the indefinite article used is une machine (a machine) instead of un.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.ʃin/
Did you know?
- While machine refers to a device, the word machin is a completely different noun used in informal French to mean 'a thing' or 'a gadget' when you cannot remember its name.
- The French word machine shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'scheme', as both derive from the Greek word for a 'contrivance' or 'stratagem'.
- In a historical theatrical context, the machine referred to the complex pulleys and cranes used to fly actors or gods onto the stage, known as the 'deus ex machina'.
Examples in context
- Il a activé la machine.He activated the machine.This sentence shows how to use the form machine in a sentence about activation.Tatoeba #8635545 by Julien_PDC, translation #10093588 by letsgolanguages
- Que fait cette machine ?What does this machine do?This sentence shows how to ask a question about the function of the form machine.Tatoeba #7763321 by Aiji, translation #4016305 by CK
- La machine à café déconne.The coffee machine is on the blink.This sentence uses the form machine to describe a malfunctioning coffee machine.Tatoeba #10236655 by lbdx, translation #8808898 by sundown
- La machine à laverThe washing machine
- L'appareil photoThe camera
- L'appareil de climatisationThe air conditioning system
- 198 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are in a workshop.
- EmmaHugo, cette machine est cassée.Hugo, this machine is broken.
- HugoJe vais réparer la machine.I will repair the machine.
- EmmaEst-ce une machine compliquée ?Is it a complicated machine?
- HugoNon, c'est une petite machine.No, it is a small machine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “machine” translations and entries machine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
