hautbois
/o.bwa/masculine
The English word oboe is translated into French as hautbois.
hautbois is a masculine noun used to refer to the wind instrument.
Meaning: wind instrument (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word hautbois is a compound of haut, meaning high and bois, meaning wood.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /o.bwa/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'oboe' is actually a phonetic adaptation of the French hautbois. It was borrowed into English in the 17th century when the instrument was imported from France.
- In French orchestral contexts, the hautbois is often the instrument that gives the tuning note 'A' to the rest of the orchestra because its pitch is stable and penetrating.
- In French, the word bois can refer to both the material 'wood' and a 'forest'. This creates a poetic double meaning for the hautbois as both a wooden tool and a sound originating from the woods.
Examples in context
- Je ne joue pas de hautbois.I don't play the oboe.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not play the hautbois.Tatoeba #10809115 by Aiji, translation #2050569 by CK
- Je dois faire réparer mon hautbois.I need to get my oboe repaired.This sentence is useful for expressing a need to have your hautbois repaired.Tatoeba #937393 by sacredceltic, translation #937388 by Fingerhut
- J'ignorais que vous jouiez du hautbois.I didn't know you played the oboe.This sentence is useful for expressing surprise at someone playing the hautbois.Tatoeba #5964187 by Aiji, translation #3496785 by CK
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two musicians are preparing for an orchestra rehearsal.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu as apporté ton hautbois ?Did you bring your oboe?
- LucasOui, mon hautbois est dans l'étui.Yes, my oboe is in the case.
- ChloéLe son de ton hautbois est magnifique.The sound of your oboe is magnificent.
- LucasMerci, c'est grâce à mon nouveau hautbois.Thank you, it is thanks to my new oboe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oboe” translations and entries hautbois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
