marin
/ma.ʁɛ̃/
The English phrase 'marine' is translated into French as marin. Wiktionary also lists maritime.
Meaning: of or pertaining to the sea (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| marin | /ma.ʁɛ̃/ |
| maritime | /ma.ʁi.tim/ |
This term is used to describe things that are of or pertaining to the sea. Related to the sea, you might also encounter the idiomatic expressions mettre les voiles to mean 'to set sail' and prendre le large to mean 'to go out to sea'.
Which one should you use?
marin is the masculine form, while marine is the feminine form. For example, you would use mammifère marin for a masculine noun but vie marine for a feminine noun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective marin changes based on the gender of the noun it describes. For masculine nouns, use marin and for feminine nouns, use marine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /ma.ʁɛ̃/.
Did you know?
- In French nautical slang, a marin d'eau douce is a 'freshwater sailor', a term used to mock someone who pretends to be an experienced seafarer but has never actually been to sea.
- The word marine describes not only the sea but also a specific deep shade of blue called bleu marine, which is the standard French term for 'navy blue'.
- If you are talking about the French Navy, you would use the term la Marine rather than l'armée marine.
Examples in context
- Marie aime un marin.Mary loves a marine.This sentence uses the noun form of marin to refer to a sailor or marine.Tatoeba #6778091 by Blabla, translation #6788582 by Eccles17
- Le phoque est un mammifère marin.A seal is a marine mammal.This sentence uses the adjective marin to describe a mammal.Tatoeba #4468592 by Mutusen, translation #13052513 by araneo
- Marine est partie sans se faire remarquer.Marine left without drawing attention.This sentence uses the name Marine.Tatoeba #9955890 by felix63, translation #11669996 by tieguy
- Les biologistes marins étudient la vie marineMarine biologists study marine life
- La France possède des forces navales puissantesFrance has powerful naval forces
- C'est un navire militaireIt is a naval vessel
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are at an aquarium.
- HugoRegarde cet écosystème marin.Look at this marine ecosystem.
- ChloéIl est vraiment magnifique, Hugo.It is truly magnificent, Hugo.
- HugoTu aimes la vie marine ?Do you like marine life?
- ChloéOui, j'adore tout ce qui est marin.Yes, I love everything marine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “marine” translations and entries marin, maritime, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
