cahier
/ka.je/masculine
The English phrase "notebook" is cahier in French. Wiktionary also lists calepin.
Meaning: empty book able to be used for notes (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cahier | /ka.je/ | masculine |
| calepin | /kal.pɛ̃/ | masculine |
A cahier is a masculine noun referring to an empty book able to be used for notes. The masculine noun carnet is also used for this purpose.
Which one should you use?
While cahier is the standard word for a notebook, calepin refers specifically to a small, pocket-sized notepad or memo book.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, a notebook might be referred to as bloc-notes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of cahier is formed by adding an 's' to the end: cahiers.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.je/
Did you know?
- In French history, a cahier de doléances was a register of grievances and complaints written by the people for the King during the lead-up to the French Revolution.
- The word calepin is actually an eponym, named after a 16th-century man named Ambrogio Calepino who wrote a famous Latin dictionary.
- The French word cahier comes from the Latin word quaternus, which refers to a group of four sheets of paper folded together.
Examples in context
- Ceci est mon cahier.This is my notebook.This sentence is useful for identifying your cahier.Tatoeba #1763165 by Amastan, translation #370564 by saeb
- Il sortit un cahier.He pulled out a notebook.This sentence is useful for describing the action of pulling out a cahier.Tatoeba #8457671 by Aiji, translation #3680304 by AlanF_US
- Ce cahier est jaune.This notebook is yellow.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a cahier.Tatoeba #10269729 by Aikotoba, translation #10267550 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Je prends toujours mon carnet de notes en réunion.I always bring my notebook to meetings.
- J'ai oublié mon cahier à la maison.I forgot my notebook at home.
- Est-ce que tu peux me prêter ton cahier de mathématiques ?Can you lend me your math notebook?
- Où est-ce que j'ai laissé mon bloc-notes ?Where did I leave my notebook?
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are in a library.
- ChloéHugo, est-ce que tu as un cahier ?Hugo, do you have a notebook?
- HugoOui, j'en ai un dans mon sac.Yes, I have one in my bag.
- ChloéEst-ce que je peux l'emprunter ?Can I borrow it?
- HugoBien sûr, Chloé, tiens.Of course, Chloé, here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “notebook” translations and entries cahier, calepin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cahier, calepin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
