avion
/a.vjɔ̃/masculine
The English word 'plane' (meaning airplane) is translated into French as avion. Wiktionary also lists aéroplane.
Meaning: airplane (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| avion | /a.vjɔ̃/ | masculine |
| aéroplane | /a.e.ʁɔ.plan/ | masculine |
If you are specifically referring to a commercial airliner, you can use avion de ligne.
Which one should you use?
While avion is the standard word for airplane, aéroplane is a more formal or technical term often used in older contexts or specific aeronautical discussions.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.vjɔ̃/ (2 syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the French word plan to mean an airplane. In French, plan means a map, a plan or a flat surface.
Did you know?
- The word avion was invented by the engineer Clément Ader for a patent application.
- Unlike the English word 'plane', which can also mean a tool used by carpenters, the French word avion is strictly limited to flight.
Examples in context
- J'ai vu un avion.I saw a plane.The first sentence demonstrates the use of avion to identify an object seen.Tatoeba #134743 by Aiji, translation #317979 by CK
- J'y vais en avion.I go by plane.The second sentence shows how to use avion to express traveling by plane.Tatoeba #11114097 by Aiji, translation #8391510 by helloroto
- Cet avion est le sien.This plane is his.The third sentence uses avion to indicate possession.Tatoeba #605763 by qdii, translation #57451 by CK
- Je prends l'avion pour ParisI am taking the plane to Paris
- La compagnie possède une flotte d'aéronefs modernesThe company owns a fleet of modern aircraft
- Nous avons voyagé en avionWe traveled by plane
- Le vol a été interrompu en raison d'un problème technique avec l'avion de ligneThe flight was interrupted due to a technical issue with the plane
- Le bruit des avions me fascineThe sound of planes fascinates me
- Je rêve de piloter un avion un jourI dream of flying a plane one day
- 344 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are at the airport.
- ChloéOù est ton avion, Nathan ?Where is your plane, Nathan?
- NathanMon avion est à la porte B.My plane is at gate B.
- ChloéEst-ce que c'est un gros avion ?Is it a big plane?
- NathanOui, c'est un très grand avion.Yes, it is a very large plane.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plane” translations and entries avion, aéroplane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avion, aéroplane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
