How to Say "Napoleon" in French

Napoléon

/na.pɔ.le.ɔ̃/

Napoléon is the French way to say the name Napoleon in French.

This is the name of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Meaning: Napoleon Bonaparte (name)

How do you pronounce it?

The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /na.pɔ.le.ɔ̃/.

In France, the 'Napoleon complex' is discussed using the term complexe de Napoléon, though the Emperor was actually of average height for his time.
Although he was a French Emperor, his name Napoléon is actually of Italian origin, derived from the Italian Napoleone.
In French, the term code Napoléon refers to the civil law system that influenced legal codes across Europe and Louisiana in the US.

Napoléon a guidé ses troupes en Russie.
Napoleon guided his troops to Russia.
This sentence shows the name Napoléon used in the context of guiding troops.
Tatoeba #12252563 by lbdx, translation #452210 by enwilson
Napoléon vécut en exil sur l'île d'Elbe.
Napoleon lived in exile on the island of Elba.
This sentence shows the name Napoléon used in the context of living in exile.
Tatoeba #809354 by sacredceltic, translation #673213 by darinmex
Napoléon mena ses troupes jusqu'en Russie.
Napoleon marched his armies into Russia.
This sentence shows the name Napoléon used in the context of marching armies.
Tatoeba #12997 by sacredceltic, translation #36270 by CK
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Léa and Nathan are looking at a history book in a library.

Léa

Tu connais Napoléon ?
Do you know Napoleon?
Nathan

Oui, c'est un personnage fascinant.
Yes, he is a fascinating character.
Léa

Je veux lire sa biographie.
I want to read his biography.
Nathan

Napoléon est un sujet passionnant pour ton étude.
Napoleon is an exciting subject for your study.

Sources

Wiktionary, “napoleon” translations and entries Napoléon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries Napoléon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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