pantalon
/pɑ̃.ta.lɔ̃/masculine
The English phrase 'pants' is translated into French as pantalon.
pantalon refers to a garment covering the body from the waist downwards.
Meaning: garment covering the body from the waist downwards (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use the plural 'pants' to describe a single item, in French you use the singular form pantalon to refer to a single pair of pants. The plural form les pantalons exists in French, but it is typically used to refer to multiple different pairs of pants.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, pantalon is a singular masculine noun. Consequently, un pantalon translates to 'a pair of pants'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /pɑ̃.ta.lɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word pantalon actually traces back to 'Pantalone', a famous character in Italian 'commedia dell'arte' theatre. He was known for wearing long hose that often slipped down towards his ankles.
Examples in context
- Il lave le pantalon.He washes the pants.This sentence is useful for showing the verb 'to wash' with pantalon.Tatoeba #5252158 by martin9, translation #435032 by lukaszpp
- Ce pantalon est sale.These pants are dirty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a specific pantalon.Tatoeba #4197161 by olivier, translation #2585127 by CK
- Où est mon pantalon ?Where are my pants?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a pantalon.Tatoeba #6823093 by felix63, translation #6825524 by Eccles17
- Dans ce contexte professionnel, il est important de porter un pantalon bien ajusté.In this professional context, it is important to wear well-fitted pants.
- J'ai acheté de nouveaux jeans pour notre sortie de ce soir.I bought new jeans for our outing tonight.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is getting ready for a party.
- ManonQuel pantalon veux-tu porter ce soir ?Which pants do you want to wear tonight?
- GabrielJe vais mettre mon pantalon noir.I am going to put on my black pants.
- ManonCe pantalon est un peu trop grand.Those pants are a bit too big.
- GabrielTu as raison, je vais en changer.You are right, I will change them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pants” translations and entries pantalon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pantalon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
