Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pingouin | /pɛ̃.ɡwɛ̃/ | informal, masculine |
| manchot | /mɑ̃.ʃo/ | masculine |
Both words are used to refer to the bird, but they have different biological meanings. In French, the flightless sea bird known as a penguin in English is actually a manchot. The term pingouin technically refers to the Great Auk, a different species of bird.
Which one should you use?
manchot is the scientifically correct term for the birds that English speakers call penguins. pingouin is a term often used colloquially to mean penguin, but it actually refers to a different species (the Great Auk).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pingouin is used in informal contexts. Even though it is technically inaccurate, pingouin is used in casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both manchot and pingouin are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word pingouin is pronounced /pɛ̃.ɡwɛ̃/ and has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use pingouin to mean penguin, but in strict French, this is a biological error because pingouin refers to a different bird.
Did you know?
- The word manchot is used in French to describe someone who is clumsy or lacks skill, similar to how English speakers might say someone is 'all thumbs'.
- The French word manchot literally means 'one-armed' or 'maimed in the arm'.
- The spelling of pingouin is influenced by its Dutch origins rather than being a direct descendant of Latin like many other French words.
Examples in context
- Tu n'es pas un manchot.You are not a penguin.This sentence uses manchot to deny that someone is a penguin.Tatoeba #12421130 by zogwarg, translation #10006959 by tsp_2
- Tu n'es pas un pingouin, Thomas.You're not a penguin, Thomas.This sentence uses pingouin to deny that a person named Thomas is a penguin.Tatoeba #6142401 by sabotage987, translation #6141844 by jamesbcn
- Ce bébé pingouin est trop mignon !This baby penguin is too cute!This sentence uses pingouin to describe a cute baby bird.Tatoeba #3674 by TRANG, translation #1848 by Zifre
- Le manchot, une espèce résidant principalement dans l'hémisphère sud, possède des caractéristiques uniques.The penguin, a species primarily residing in the southern hemisphere, possesses unique characteristics.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are at the zoo.
- GabrielRegarde le pingouin là-bas !Look at the penguin over there!
- ChloéIl est vraiment drôle quand il marche.He is really funny when he walks.
- GabrielJe pense que le pingouin a faim.I think the penguin is hungry.
- ChloéOui, il attend son poisson.Yes, he is waiting for his fish.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “penguin” translations and entries pingouin, manchot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manchot, pingouin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
