Nouvelle-Zélande
/nu.vɛl.ze.lɑ̃d/feminine
New Zealand in French is Nouvelle-Zélande.
Nouvelle-Zélande is the name of the country in Oceania.
Meaning: country in Oceania (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The first part of the name, Nouvelle, is the feminine form of the adjective meaning new.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because Nouvelle-Zélande is a feminine country name, the preposition used to mean 'to' or 'in' is en (en Nouvelle-Zélande). When the name is used as a subject or direct object, it is preceded by the feminine article la (la Nouvelle-Zélande). Additionally, the masculine term for New Zealanders is les Néo-Zélandais and the feminine term is les Néo-Zélandaises.
How do you pronounce it?
/nu.vɛl.ze.lɑ̃d/ (4 syllables)
Did you know?
- The name Nouvelle-Zélande is a direct translation of the Dutch 'Nieuw Zeeland', which the French adopted to maintain the 'new' descriptor.
- The term Néo-Zélandais uses a different prefix than the country name Nouvelle-Zélande, switching from 'new' to 'neo'.
- In French, names of countries usually require an article like la, but when using en to say 'in New Zealand', the article la disappears.
Examples in context
- Ils sont allés en Nouvelle-Zélande.They went to New Zealand.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say one went to New Zealand.Tatoeba #11150515 by Rovo, translation #1210834 by CN
- En plus, je vais en Nouvelle-Zélande pour étudier.Also, I am going to New Zealand to study.This sentence shows how to use the preposition 'en' when traveling to New Zealand to study.Tatoeba #7701398 by Maxence, translation #7803137 by sharris123
- Y a-t-il plus de moutons au pays de Galles ou en Nouvelle-Zélande ?Are there more sheep in Wales or in New Zealand?This sentence compares the number of sheep in Wales and New Zealand.Tatoeba #6929230 by Rockaround, translation #6935567 by kaiperkins271
- La Nouvelle-Zélande est magnifique.New Zealand is stunning.
- J'ai visité la Nouvelle-Zélande l'année dernière.I visited New Zealand last year.
- La magnifique Nouvelle-ZélandeThe beautiful New Zealand
- La verte Nouvelle-ZélandeThe green New Zealand
- La pittoresque Nouvelle-ZélandeThe picturesque New Zealand
- Les Néo-Zélandais sont chaleureux et accueillants.New Zealanders are warm and welcoming.
- J'ai rencontré une Néo-Zélandaise très sympathique aujourd'hui.I met a very friendly New Zealander today.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing their dream travel destinations.
- NathanJe rêve de visiter la Nouvelle-Zélande.I dream of visiting New Zealand.
- EmmaMoi aussi, c'est un pays magnifique.Me too, it is a magnificent country.
- NathanTu veux aller en Nouvelle-Zélande quand ?When do you want to go to New Zealand?
- EmmaJ'espère y aller l'année prochaine.I hope to go there next year.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “new zealand” translations and entries Nouvelle-Zélande, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
