How to Say "Platypus" in French

ornithorynque

/ɔʁ.ni.tɔ.ʁɛ̃k/masculine

In French, the English word platypus is translated as ornithorynque.

The word ornithorynque is a masculine noun used to refer to the biological species Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Meaning: Ornithorhynchus anatinus (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term is a compound that reflects the animal's physical appearance, combining ornitho- (meaning bird) and rynx (meaning snout or beak).

To form the plural of ornithorynque, simply add an -s to the end to get ornithorynques.

/ɔʁ.ni.tɔ.ʁɛ̃k/. The word has 4 syllables.

While English uses the word 'platypus' from Greek for 'flat-foot', French uses ornithorynque which emphasizes the animal's 'bird-snout'.
The French word ornithorynque is a direct loan of the Latinized Greek genus name, meaning it bypasses common folk-naming in favor of taxonomic precision.
The ornithorynque is often cited in French linguistics as a prime example of a 'mot savant' or scholarly word that entered common usage.

L'ornithorynque est un mammifère ovipare, c'est-à-dire qu'il pond des œufs.
The platypus is an egg-laying mammal, which means it lays eggs.
This sentence is useful for describing the egg-laying nature of the ornithorynque.
Tatoeba #8924963 by lbdx, translation #8097694 by Dejo
J'ai été surpris par le fait que les ornithorynques pondent des œufs.
It surprised me that platypus lay eggs.
This sentence is useful for expressing surprise regarding the fact that ornithorynque lay eggs.
Tatoeba #8924951 by lbdx, translation #1395487 by marcelostockle
L'ornithorynque, un petit mammifère amphibie australien, est un animal très farouche.
The platypus, a small amphibious Australian mammal, is a very shy animal.
This sentence is useful for describing the ornithorynque as a small, shy, amphibious Australian mammal.
Tatoeba #8924969 by lbdx, translation #8390312 by CM
L'ornithorynque est un mammifère semiaquatique qui vit principalement en Australie.
The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal that primarily inhabits Australia.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Léa and Hugo are looking at a nature book in a library.

Léa

Regarde cet ornithorynque sur la photo.
Look at this platypus in the photo.
Hugo

Il a un bec très étrange.
It has a very strange beak.
Léa

L'ornithorynque est un animal fascinant.
The platypus is a fascinating animal.
Hugo

C'est vrai, il est magnifique.
It's true, it is magnificent.

Sources

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