voyage inaugural
The English phrase "maiden voyage" is translated into French as voyage inaugural.
voyage inaugural refers to the first trip of a vessel. While voyage is the standard term for a trip, in a strictly maritime context, you might also see première traversée used for a first crossing.
Meaning: first trip of a vessel (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of voyage (voyage/trip) and inaugural (inaugural/first/opening).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inaugural follows the noun voyage and must agree in gender and number with it. The plural form of voyage inaugural is voyages inauguraux, using the irregular masculine plural ending -aux for the adjective.
Did you know?
- The French word voyage is a 'doublet' of viatique, meaning they both evolved from the same Latin root but took different paths. While voyage refers to the journey, viatique now refers to money given for a journey or the last rites given to a dying person.
- In French maritime culture, the term baptême (baptism) is used for the ceremony of naming a ship before its voyage inaugural. This mirrors the religious rite of naming a child to mark their entrance into the community.
- While English uses the word 'maiden' to imply purity or first-time status, French uses inaugural, which treats the first trip as a formal opening ceremony or a civic event.
Examples in context
- C'est le voyage inaugural de notre navire.This is our ship's maiden voyage.This sentence is useful for identifying the maiden voyage of a specific ship using voyage inaugural.Tatoeba #12017555 by lbdx, translation #2763412 by sharptoothed
- Le Titanic a coulé lors de son voyage inaugural.The Titanic sunk on its maiden voyage.This sentence is useful for mentioning that the Titanic sank during its voyage inaugural.Tatoeba #936664 by sacredceltic, translation #41213 by CK
- Le voyage inaugural du Titanic ne se passa pas si bien.The Titanic's maiden voyage didn't go so well.This sentence is useful for describing how the Titanic's voyage inaugural went.Tatoeba #1252694 by sacredceltic, translation #1251248 by darinmex
- Le Titanic a fait son premier voyage le 10 avril 1912.The Titanic made its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912.
- L'Express de l'Orient a célébré son voyage inaugural avec une grande fête à bord.The Orient Express celebrated its maiden voyage with a grand party on board.
- Ce voilier a commencé sa première navigation sur le lac il y a quelques jours.This sailboat started its maiden voyage on the lake a few days ago.
- Le nouveau train à grande vitesse a effectué son voyage d'inauguration avec de nombreux invités VIP à son bord.The new high-speed train made its maiden voyage with many VIP guests on board.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are looking at a luxury cruise ship in the harbor.
- HugoRegarde ce bateau, il est magnifique !Look at that boat, it is magnificent!
- LéaOui, il part pour son voyage inaugural demain.Yes, it leaves for its maiden voyage tomorrow.
- HugoJ'aimerais beaucoup être à bord.I would really love to be on board.
- LéaMoi aussi, Léa rêve de voyager avec lui.Me too, Léa dreams of traveling with it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maiden voyage” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inaugural, voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
