plastique
/plas.tik/
The English phrase 'plastic' is translated into French as plastique.
The word plastique is used both as an adjective meaning 'made of plastic' and as a noun referring to the synthetic thermoplastic polymer itself.
Meaning: made of plastic (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using plastique as an adjective, it is invariable in gender, so it remains the same whether describing a masculine or feminine noun. To express that an object is made of plastic, use the preposition en before the noun, such as in the phrase en plastique.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /plas.tik/ and has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When describing the material an object is made of, do not use 'de plastique' as English speakers often do. Instead, use 'en plastique'.
Did you know?
- While the English word 'plastic' often implies something fake or superficial, the French plastique is frequently used in art to describe the 'plastic arts', such as sculpture, which involve shaping physical matter.
- The word plastique comes from the Greek root 'plassein', which means 'to mold' or 'to form'.
- In French, the word plastique can be used as a noun to describe the overall 'look' or 'shell' of an object, such as a car's exterior bodywork.
Examples in context
- Est-ce du plastique ?Is that plastic?This sentence is useful for asking if something is made of plastique.Tatoeba #8430542 by felix63, translation #13190570 by rul
- L'assiette est en plastique.The plate is made of plastic.This sentence is useful for stating that a plate is made of plastique.Tatoeba #4551349 by sacredceltic, translation #47736 by CK
- Ces boîtes sont en plastique.These boxes are made out of plastic.This sentence is useful for stating that boxes are made of plastique.Tatoeba #431606 by qdii, translation #660379 by CK
- Le plastique est largement utilisé dans l'industrie alimentaire.Plastic is widely used in the food industry.
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are at a picnic in a park.
- NathanEst-ce que ce verre est en plastique ?Is this glass made of plastic?
- ChloéOui, il est en plastique.Yes, it is plastic.
- NathanC'est plus pratique pour le pique-nique.It is more practical for the picnic.
- ChloéC'est vrai, c'est très léger.That's true, it is very light.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plastic” translations and entries plastique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
