moto
/mɔ.to/feminine
The English phrase 'motorcycle' is translated to French as moto. Wiktionary also lists motocyclette and motocycle.
Meaning: open-seated motor vehicle with handlebars instead of a steering wheel (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| moto | /mɔ.to/ /mo.to/ |
feminine |
| motocyclette | /mɔ.tɔ.si.klɛt/ | feminine |
| motocycle | /mɔ.tɔ.sikl/ | masculine |
The term refers to an open-seated motor vehicle with handlebars instead of a steering wheel.
Which one should you use?
In English, one says they 'ride' a motorcycle, but in French, you use the verb 'conduire' (to drive) with moto.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Moto is a common and widely used term for motorcycle in everyday conversations. If you need a more formal or technical term, you can use motocyclette. There is also a slang term, bécane.
How does it change in a sentence?
Moto is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine article une or la. Note that while moto and motocyclette are feminine, the form motocycle is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ.to/
Did you know?
- The slang term bécane originally referred to a bicycle before it was adopted to describe a moto.
- The term motocyclette is tied to the specific history of the Werner Frères et Cie company, which produced one of the earliest models in 1897.
- In France, the term motard describes not just a rider but a distinct social subculture with its own codes of solidarity and greeting.
Examples in context
- Sa moto est rouge.His motorcycle is red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a moto.Tatoeba #7357264 by tras, translation #7357047 by sabretou
- Je conduis une moto.I ride a motorcycle.This sentence is useful for expressing that you ride a moto.Tatoeba #4594183 by sacredceltic, translation #7575823 by zaneselvans
- J'ai aussi une moto.I also have a motorcycle.This sentence is useful for stating that you own a moto.Tatoeba #8540610 by Whidou, translation #5916377 by CK
- Je me rends au travail tous les jours en moto .I go to work every day by motorcycle.
- Nous avons acheté une moto pour explorer la campagne française.We bought a motorcycle to explore the French countryside.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about transportation in the city.
- HugoTu as une moto ?Do you have a motorcycle?
- ManonNon, je préfère le vélo.No, I prefer the bicycle.
- HugoMa moto est plus rapide.My motorcycle is faster.
- ManonC'est vrai, mais c'est dangereux.That's true, but it's dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “motorcycle” translations and entries moto, motocyclette, motocycle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moto, motocyclette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
