Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| stylo | /sti.lo/ | masculine |
| plume | /plym/ | feminine |
In French, you use these terms to refer to writing tools. While stylo is the standard word for modern writing instruments like ballpoint or felt-tip pens, you may encounter the brand name Bic used colloquially to refer specifically to ballpoint pens. For a highlighter, the term is surligneur and a fountain pen is called a stylo plume.
What does it mean word for word?
The word plume literally means feather, which refers to the historical use of bird feathers as quills for writing.
Which one should you use?
Use stylo for modern writing instruments such as ballpoint or felt-tip pens. Use plume when referring to a pen with a more traditional or formal connotation, particularly a fountain pen.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Québec, Canada, people may use the term crayon instead of stylo to mean pen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Stylo is a masculine noun, so you would use the masculine article un as in un stylo. Plume is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
Stylo is pronounced /sti.lo/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word surligneur for highlighter comes from the verb surligner, which literally means 'to draw a line over'.
- Because stylo is a clipping of the longer word stylographe, it is a relatively modern addition to the French language compared to other writing tools.
- The word plume is used not just for the tool, but also as a literary term to refer to a writer's unique style or the act of writing itself.
Examples in context
- As-tu un stylo ?Have you got a pen?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a stylo.Tatoeba #1924703 by nimfeo, translation #16425 by Dreamk33
- C'est ton stylo ?Is this your pen?This sentence is useful for asking if a stylo belongs to someone.Tatoeba #428885 by Archibald, translation #55989 by CK
- Ton stylo est nul.Your pen sucks.This sentence is useful for expressing a negative opinion about a stylo.Tatoeba #2445237 by gillux, translation #2443065 by MethodGT
- Je cherche un stylo pour écrire.I am looking for a pen to write.
- Je vais chercher un stylo dans le tiroir pour prendre des notes pendant la réunion.I'm going to get a pen from the drawer to take notes during the meeting.
- 247 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are in a classroom.
- GabrielEmma, est-ce que tu as un stylo ?Emma, do you have a pen?
- EmmaOui, j'ai un stylo pour toi.Yes, I have a pen for you.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thank you, that is very kind of you.
- EmmaDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries stylo, plume, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plume, stylo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
