pique-nique
/pik.nik/masculine
The English phrase 'picnic' is translated into French as pique-nique. Wiktionary also lists piquenique and picnic.
Meaning: a meal eaten outdoors (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pique-nique | /pik.nik/ | masculine |
| piquenique | /pik.nik/ | masculine |
| picnic | masculine |
A pique-nique refers to a meal eaten outdoors.
Which one should you use?
pique-nique is the most traditional and standard spelling in French. The spelling piquenique and the spelling picnic are also forms used for the same masculine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the noun pique-nique into a verb by adding the '-er' suffix, resulting in pique-niquer, which means 'to picnic'.
How do you pronounce it?
/pik.nik/
Did you know?
- The word pique-nique is a loanword from French that entered the English language in the 18th century.
- The term pique-nique was once used in France to describe a way of paying for a meal where everyone paid their own share.
- The term pique-nique originally described a potluck-style meal where every guest contributed a 'small thing' to the table.
Examples in context
- Ils partirent en pique-nique.They set out on a picnic.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pique-nique with the preposition 'en'.Tatoeba #504435 by sacredceltic, translation #305996 by CK
- Et si on allait pique-niquer ?How about going on a picnic?This sentence shows the verbal form derived from pique-nique.Tatoeba #2136512 by Rovo, translation #34813 by CK
- Elle est partie en pique-nique.She went on a picnic.Tatoeba #4760200 by sacredceltic, translation #312052 by CK
- Allons faire un pique-niqueLet's have a picnic
- Voulez-vous partager un repas en plein air?Would you like to share a meal in the open air?
- Je prépare un pique-nique pour demain, tu veux venir?I'm preparing a picnic for tomorrow, do you want to come?
- La sortie champêtre était magnifique avec un pique-nique au bord du lacThe countryside outing was magnificent with a picnic by the lake.
- Faisons un pique-nique dans la forêtLet's have a picnic in the forest.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are planning a meal in the park.
- LéaOn prépare un pique-nique pour demain ?Shall we prepare a picnic for tomorrow?
- GabrielOui, c'est une excellente idée, Léa.Yes, it is an excellent idea, Léa.
- LéaJe peux apporter du pain et du fromage.I can bring some bread and cheese.
- GabrielParfait, je m'occupe de la boisson.Perfect, I will take care of the drinks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “picnic” translations and entries pique-nique, piquenique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
