puma
/py.ma/
The English phrase "mountain lion" is translated into French as puma.
The term is used to refer to the large wild cat native to the Americas.
Which one should you use?
While puma is the most common term, you may also encounter cougar or lion de montagne to describe the same species.
How do you pronounce it?
The word puma is pronounced /py.ma/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- While puma is the standard term, the use of cougar in French is often associated with the same slang meaning as in English to describe an older woman pursuing younger partners.
- The word puma is a direct linguistic traveler from the Andes, originating from the Quechuan language of the Inca Empire.
- While a mountain lion is a cat, the French word lion is almost exclusively reserved for the African or Asian species to avoid confusion.
Examples in context
- J'ai vu un cougar dans la forêt hierI saw a cougar in the woods yesterday
- J'ai vu un puma dans la forêt.I saw a mountain lion in the forest.
- Le puma est un prédateur solitaire.The mountain lion is a solitary predator.
- Il faut faire attention au puma.One must be careful of the mountain lion.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at photos from a trip to a national park.
- LucasRegarde, j'ai pris une photo d'un puma !Look, I took a photo of a mountain lion!
- ChloéC'est incroyable, il est très beau.That's incredible, it is very beautiful.
- LucasIl était caché derrière les arbres.It was hiding behind the trees.
- ChloéTu as eu beaucoup de chance, Lucas.You were very lucky, Lucas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry puma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
