pick-up
The English phrase 'pickup truck' is translated into French as pick-up.
The term pick-up is widely used and understood in French, especially in the context of modern vehicle types. It refers to a light truck with an open cargo area at the back.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be formal, you can use the phrase Véhicule utilitaire léger, which means light utility vehicle. For a neutral and standard way to refer to a pickup truck or a small utility truck, use camionnette. The form Pick-up is an informal Anglicism used in France.
How does it change in a sentence?
When pluralizing the anglicism pick-up, it is common to add an 's' at the end to form des pick-ups.
Did you know?
- In Quebec, speakers often use camion for a pickup truck, whereas in France camion almost always refers to a massive heavy-duty semi-truck.
- French uses the word benne for the cargo bed of a pick-up, which is the same word used for a giant industrial waste container or a dumpster.
- While pick-up is common in France, speakers in Quebec often prefer camionnettes or simply camion to avoid using the English term, despite the region's proximity to the US.
Examples in context
- Un pick-up m'a embouti par l'arrière.I was rear-ended by a pickup truck.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pick-up when describing a vehicle accident.Tatoeba #11955026 by lbdx, translation #2540226 by CK
- J'ai besoin d'une camionnette pour transporter mes meubles.I need a pickup truck to transport my furniture.
- Nous avons utilisé un pick-up pour ramasser les matériaux de construction.We used a pickup truck to collect the construction materials.
- Il a acheté un nouveau pick-up rouge.He bought a new red pick-up.
- Le pick-up est garé dans l'allée.The pick-up is parked in the driveway.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are standing in their driveway looking at a vehicle.
- GabrielRegarde ce beau pick-up, Emma.Look at this beautiful pick-up, Emma.
- EmmaIl est très grand, Gabriel.It is very big, Gabriel.
- GabrielOn peut mettre nos outils dans le pick-up.We can put our tools in the pick-up.
- EmmaC'est une excellente idée.That is an excellent idea.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
