poteau
/pɔ.to/
The French word for pole is poteau.
poteau refers to a long and slender object used for construction or as a structural support.
Meaning: long and slender object for construction or support (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use poteau when referring to a structural support or a post. For a stick or a staff, use the word bâton instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
poteau is a masculine noun. The plural form is poteaux. Note that if you are referring to the handle of a tool or a long object, the term manche is often used instead.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of poteau is /pɔ.to/.
Did you know?
- If you are referring to the North or South Pole, you must use the word pôle instead of poteau.
- The phrase être au poteau can be used in racing to describe the finish line or the moment a competitor reaches the end of the track.
- The word poteau comes from the Latin 'postis', which originally described the upright part of a doorway rather than a construction pole.
Examples in context
- Je suis rentré dans un poteau.I ran into a pole.This sentence shows how to use poteau when describing running into an object.Tatoeba #5565868 by sacredceltic, translation #2439646 by Hybrid
- Il a découvert le poteau rose.He discovered the pink pole.This sentence uses poteau to describe a specific color of a pole.Tatoeba #10676546 by AutoBot, translation #10676547 by AutoBot
- Ils l'ont attaché à un poteau.They bound him to a pole.This sentence demonstrates using poteau as an object to which someone is attached.Tatoeba #12436033 by lbdx, translation #307423 by ddnktr
- Le poteau indiquant la sortie était endommagé.The sign pole indicating the exit was damaged.
- La lumière de la rue était allumée jusqu'au sommet du poteau.The streetlight was lit up to the top of the pole.
- Les athlètes effectuaient des sauts incroyables à la perche.The athletes were performing incredible pole jumps.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are standing in their garden during construction.
- ChloéHugo, où est le nouveau poteau ?Hugo, where is the new pole?
- HugoIl est juste là, près de la clôture.It is right there, near the fence.
- ChloéCe poteau est très lourd.This pole is very heavy.
- HugoJe vais t'aider à le porter.I am going to help you carry it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry poteau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poteau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
