jetée
/ʒə.te/feminine
The English word pier is translated into French as jetée.
The word jetée refers to a raised platform built from the shore out over water.
Meaning: raised platform built from the shore out over water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While jetée refers to a structure built out into the water (a pier), quai refers to the edge or platform alongside which ships are moored (a quay or dock).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun jetée is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒə.te/
Did you know?
- The jetée of certain French resorts was historically used for 'bains de mer' or sea bathing, where modesty curtains were used to shield swimmers from the public view on the platform.
- The word jetée comes from the verb jeter, meaning 'to throw'. It describes a structure built by 'throwing' or casting stones and materials into the sea.
- If you are walking on a pier in a French port, you might be on a digue, which is often used interchangeably with jetée but specifically implies a breakwater designed to protect a harbor from waves.
Examples in context
- J'ai plongé de la jetée.I dove off the pier.This sentence is useful for describing diving off the jetée.Tatoeba #11143099 by lbdx, translation #5958413 by CK
- Elle le poussa de la jetée.She pushed him off the pier.This sentence is useful for describing pushing someone off the jetée.Tatoeba #1341651 by sacredceltic, translation #887346 by CK
- Jim est parti pêcher à la jetée.Jim went fishing from the pier.This sentence is useful for describing fishing from the jetée.Tatoeba #338148 by shiboy, translation #53232 by orcrist
- Nous nous promenons le long de la jetée chaque soir.We walk along the pier every evening.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are walking along the coast.
- EmmaRegarde cette belle jetée !Look at this beautiful pier!
- LucasElle est immense, Emma.It is huge, Emma.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'on peut marcher jusqu'au bout de la jetée ?Can we walk to the end of the pier?
- LucasOui, c'est très facile.Yes, it's very easy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pier” translations and entries jetée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
