non-fiction
/nɔ̃.fik.sjɔ̃/
The English phrase non fiction is translated into French as non-fiction.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /nɔ̃.fik.sjɔ̃/. It consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the term non-fiction is almost exclusively used to refer to the genre of films or television rather than books. To describe a non-fiction book, a French person would typically use the term essai or ouvrage documentaire.
- The French word fiction shares the same Latin root as the English word 'fashion', as both derive from 'fingere', meaning to shape or mold.
- In French literary criticism, the boundary between fiction and non-fiction is often blurred by the genre autofiction, where an author treats their own life as a fictional character.
Examples in context
- J'apprécie principalement les ouvrages de documentation et la littérature factuelle.I mainly appreciate non-fiction books and factual literature.
- Non, je suis plutôt intéressé par des bouquins basés sur des faits réels.No, I'm more interested in books based on real facts.
- Ce livre de non-fiction est passionnant.This non-fiction book is fascinating.
- Elle écrit des ouvrages de non-fiction.She writes non-fiction works.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are at a bookstore.
- GabrielTu cherches un roman ou de la non-fiction ?Are you looking for a novel or non-fiction?
- EmmaJe cherche de la non-fiction sur l'histoire.I am looking for non-fiction about history.
- GabrielC'est juste là, à côté des biographies.It's right there, next to the biographies.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Gabriel !Thank you very much, Gabriel!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry non-fiction, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
