véhicule de tourisme
The French phrase for passenger vehicle is véhicule de tourisme.
véhicule de tourisme is the standard technical and administrative term used in French to categorize passenger cars, as opposed to commercial or heavy vehicles. While this is the official term, people often use the word voiture to mean car when referring to passenger vehicles in daily life.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally translated, véhicule de tourisme means 'tourism vehicle', which reflects the concept of a vehicle used for travel and leisure rather than the commercial transport of goods.
Which one should you use?
A véhicule de tourisme is contrasted with a véhicule utilitaire (utility vehicle), which refers to commercial vehicles like vans or trucks designed for transporting goods.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
véhicule de tourisme is a formal expression. For everyday speech, you might use voiture to mean car or the informal term bagnole to mean a car or a ride.
Did you know?
- The word tourisme in this context is a linguistic 'loanword' that actually traveled from English into French.
- In French administrative law, the distinction between a véhicule de tourisme and a véhicule utilitaire can determine the tax rate a owner must pay.
- The word véhicule shares a direct root with the English word 'vehicle', both originating from the Latin vehiculum meaning 'carriage'.
Examples in context
- Je souhaite louer un véhicule de tourisme pour mes vacances.I would like to rent a passenger vehicle for my vacation.
- Ce véhicule de tourisme est très confortable.This passenger vehicle is very comfortable.
- Il a loué un véhicule de tourisme pour les vacances.He rented a passenger vehicle for the holidays.
- La taxe est différente pour un véhicule de tourisme.The tax is different for a passenger vehicle.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are discussing a car rental at an agency.
- ChloéEst-ce que ce véhicule de tourisme est disponible ?Is this passenger vehicle available?
- LucasOui, Chloé, il est libre pour toute la semaine.Yes, Chloé, it is free for the whole week.
- ChloéParfait, je vais le réserver tout de suite.Perfect, I will reserve it right away.
- LucasTrès bien, je prépare le contrat pour vous.Very well, I am preparing the contract for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, tourisme, véhicule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
