bœuf
/bœf/masculine
The English phrase ox is translated into French as bœuf.
The word bœuf is used both to refer to the animal and to the meat (beef) in culinary contexts.
Meaning: an adult castrated male of cattle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of bœuf is bœufs.
How do you pronounce it?
/bœf/
Did you know?
- In a musical context, if a group of musicians decides to faire un bœuf, they are not cooking meat but are actually engaging in an improvised jam session.
- The phrase se comporter comme un bœuf is used to describe someone who is being stubbornly obstinate or slow to understand.
- While English uses 'cow' to refer to the species, the French word bœuf shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cow'.
Examples in context
- Qui vole un œuf, vole un bœuf.He who steals a pin will steal an ox.Tatoeba #13960 by dominiko, translation #27757 by vxern
- Il cuisine de la langue de bœuf.He's cooking ox tongue.Tatoeba #8949991 by Julien_PDC, translation #11613573 by tieguy
- Le pluriel de « bœuf » est « bœufs ».The plural of ox is oxen.Tatoeba #1657984 by sacredceltic, translation #1657834 by Spamster
- Le boucher travaille avec des bœufs chaque jour.The butcher works with oxen every day.
- Cette vache est plus grande qu'un bœuf normal!This cow is bigger than a regular ox!
- J'ai vu un bœuf tirer une charrette dans la rue.I saw an ox pulling a cart down the street.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are visiting a traditional farm.
- NathanRegarde ce gros bœuf dans le pré.Look at that big ox in the meadow.
- EmmaIl est impressionnant, ce bœuf.That ox is impressive.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il est calme ?Is he calm?
- EmmaOui, il semble très tranquille.Yes, he seems very peaceful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ox” translations and entries bœuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bœuf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
