oiseau
/wa.zo/
The French word for bird is oiseau.
oiseau is the standard word for a feathered animal that typically flies and lays eggs. You can use it in various descriptive phrases, such as Oiseau sauvage for a wild bird or Oiseau migrateur for a migratory bird.
How does it change in a sentence?
oiseau is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine indefinite article un to say un oiseau (a bird). The plural form of oiseau is oiseaux (birds).
How do you pronounce it?
/wa.zo/
Did you know?
- In French slang, calling someone un oiseau rare translates to 'a rare bird' and describes a person with unique or eccentric qualities.
- The word oiseau is actually a diminutive, meaning the word literally translates to 'little bird' from its Latin roots.
- Although oiseau is spelled with six letters, it is pronounced with only two vowel sounds, making it a prime example of how French spelling often retains letters that are no longer spoken.
Examples in context
- Je suis un passionné des oiseaux, particulièrement des oiseaux migrateurs.I am passionate about birds, especially migratory ones.
- Regarde ce joli zozio dans le jardin!Look at this lovely birdie in the garden!
- Chaque matin, j'entends le chant des oiseaux dans le jardin.Every morning, I hear the song of birds in the garden.
- Les oiseaux tropicaux sont connus pour leurs plumages colorés.Tropical birds are known for their colorful feathers.
- L'oiseau chante dans l'arbre.The bird is singing in the tree.
- Je vois un petit oiseau bleu.I see a little blue bird.
- L'oiseau s'est envolé rapidement.The bird flew away quickly.
- Il y a un oiseau sur la branche.There is a bird on the branch.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are walking in a park.
- ManonRegarde cet oiseau, Hugo !Look at that bird, Hugo!
- HugoOù est-il ?Where is it?
- ManonIl est juste là-haut.It is right up there.
- HugoAh oui, il est magnifique.Ah yes, it is magnificent.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oiseau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oiseau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
