piccolo
/pi.kɔ.lo/masculine
The French word for piccolo is piccolo.
piccolo is a masculine noun referring to a small, high-pitched transverse flute.
Meaning: small, high-pitched transverse flute (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /pi.kɔ.lo/.
Did you know?
- The word piccolo is an Italian loanword, and its use in French is part of a broader tradition where many musical terms are kept in Italian.
- The piccolo is used in French military bands to perform high-pitched signals that can be heard over the noise of a marching army.
- Because the piccolo is so high-pitched, French composers have historically used it to mimic the sounds of birds or wind in pastoral scenes.
Examples in context
- Vite, cachez ce piccolo !Quick, hide this piccolo!This sentence is useful for learning how to command someone to hide the piccolo.Tatoeba #6579615 by Eccles17, translation #6579616 by Eccles17
- J'ai trouvé ton piccolo brisé dans la rue.I found your piccolo broken in the street.This sentence is useful for describing finding a broken piccolo in the street.Tatoeba #6579613 by Eccles17, translation #6579612 by Eccles17
- Les musiciens experts apprécient la sonorité unique de la flûte traversière piccolo.Expert musicians appreciate the unique sound of the piccolo.
- Les enfants étaient enchantés par le son cristallin du petit fifre qui accompagnait la chanson.The children were delighted by the crystalline sound of the little piccolo that accompanied the song.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are organizing their musical instruments.
- HugoOù as-tu mis mon piccolo, Léa ?Where did you put my piccolo, Léa?
- LéaIl est sur la table, Hugo.It is on the table, Hugo.
- HugoMerci, j'ai besoin de mon piccolo pour demain.Thanks, I need my piccolo for tomorrow.
- LéaTu vas jouer un beau morceau !You are going to play a beautiful piece!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piccolo” translations and entries piccolo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piccolo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
