noix de pécan
/nwa d(ə) pe.kɑ̃/feminine
The English word pecan is translated into French as noix de pécan. Wiktionary also lists pacane.
Meaning: nut (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| noix de pécan | /nwa d(ə) pe.kɑ̃/ | feminine |
| pacane | /pa.kan/ | feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase noix de pécan literally translates to nut of pecan.
Which one should you use?
Noix de pécan is the standard term used in France and most French-speaking regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, it is common to use the term pacane to refer to the pecan.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word noix is feminine, so any accompanying adjectives must be in the feminine form.
Did you know?
- The word pacane used in Quebec is actually a direct loanword from the Algonquian languages of North America. This makes the word a linguistic traveler that moved from Indigenous languages into French.
- While noix means 'pecan' in noix de pécan, the word noix on its own usually refers to a walnut in French.
- French speakers use the same word noix for both the fruit of the tree and the hard shell that protects it.
Examples in context
- Dans cette recette, nous allons ajouter des noix de pécan caramélisées.In this recipe, we will add caramelized pecans.
- Il y a une noix de pécan dans mon gâteau.There is a pecan in my cake.
- Cette noix de pécan est très bonne.This pecan is very good.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are baking a pie together.
- LéaNathan, on a encore des noix de pécan ?Nathan, do we still have pecans?
- NathanOui, il en reste dans le placard.Yes, there are some left in the cupboard.
- LéaSuper, je vais en ajouter sur le dessus.Great, I'm going to add some on top.
- NathanC'est une excellente idée, Léa.That's an excellent idea, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pecan” translations and entries noix de pécan, pacane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, noix, noix de pécan, pacane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
