porteur
/pɔʁ.tœʁ/masculine
The English phrase porter is translated into French as porteur.
porteur refers to a person who carries luggage. While the verb transporter can also mean to carry, it usually implies a more substantial load. If you want to express the informal idea of lugging something around, including figuratively for emotional baggage, you might use trimballer.
Meaning: person who carries luggage (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun is porteuse.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /pɔʁ.tœʁ/.
Did you know?
- In French, porteur is also used in medicine to describe a 'carrier' of a disease, such as a porteur sain who is an asymptomatic carrier.
- The word porteur is used in the phrase porteur de projet to describe a project leader or the person driving a new idea forward.
- In a technical context, a porteur can refer to a carrier wave in radio transmissions, known as onde porteuse.
Examples in context
- Laissez un porteur porter vos bagages.Let a porter carry your baggage.This sentence demonstrates the use of porteur in the context of carrying baggage.Tatoeba #13305 by Micsmithel, translation #33742 by AlanF_US
- Elle fit porter sa lourde valise par le porteur.She had her heavy suitcase carried by the porter.This sentence shows how porteur is used when someone has their suitcase carried.Tatoeba #458777 by sacredceltic, translation #314934 by CK
- Si un porteur porte tes bagages, n'oublie pas de lui donner un pourboire.If a porter carries your luggage, don't forget to tip him.This sentence uses porteur to discuss the action of carrying luggage and tipping.Tatoeba #1964428 by sacredceltic, translation #1963270 by CK
- Je porte un sac.I'm carrying a bag.
- Il transporte des bagages lourds.He is carrying heavy luggage.
- Il trimballe son sac à dos partoutHe lugs his backpack everywhere.
- Je porte un manteau chaud en hiver.I wear a warm coat in winter.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are arriving at a luxury hotel.
- HugoRegarde, le porteur arrive avec nos valises.Look, the porter is coming with our suitcases.
- LéaParfait, il peut les monter à la chambre.Perfect, he can take them up to the room.
- HugoJe vais demander au porteur le prix du service.I will ask the porter the price of the service.
- LéaOui, et nous lui donnerons un pourboire.Yes, and we will give him a tip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “porter” translations and entries porteur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
