puissant
/pɥi.sɑ̃/
The English word powerful can be translated into French as puissant.
Puissant is used to describe someone or something that has or is capable of exerting power, potency or influence. It is often used in formal, literary or grand contexts, such as describing a powerful nation or a powerful sorcerer.
Meaning: having or capable of exerting power, potency or influence (adj)
Which one should you use?
While puissant refers to power, influence or potency, the word fort is the more common way to express physical strength.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: puissante is the feminine form, puissants is the masculine plural form and puissantes is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɥi.sɑ̃/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the word puissance describes both political power and mathematical exponents, such as 'two to the power of ten'.
- The word puissant is actually a fossilized 'present participle' that survived the evolution of French. While the modern participle of 'pouvoir' is pouvant, the old form became a permanent adjective.
- In a religious context, le Tout-Puissant is the standard French epithet for 'the Almighty'.
Examples in context
- Il est riche et puissant.He's rich and powerful.This sentence shows how to use puissant to describe a person as both rich and powerful.Tatoeba #1804306 by sacredceltic, translation #1804034 by Spamster
- C'est un puissant sorcier.He's a powerful sorcerer.This sentence uses puissant to describe a sorcerer.Tatoeba #1791442 by sacredceltic, translation #1790818 by Spamster
- La Chine devient puissante.China is becoming powerful.This sentence demonstrates the use of the word to describe a nation.Tatoeba #11040834 by Amastan, translation #10694114 by Amastan
- un homme puissantA powerful man
- une entreprise puissanteA powerful company
- une personnalité influenteAn influential personality
- un pays influentA powerful country
- Cet argument est solideThis argument is powerful
- Cette technologie est extrêmement puissanteThis technology is extremely powerful
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a political leader.
- HugoCe politicien est vraiment puissant.This politician is truly powerful.
- ManonOui, il a une grande influence.Yes, he has a lot of influence.
- HugoOn dit qu'il est très puissant.They say he is very powerful.
- ManonC'est vrai, tout le monde le craint.It's true, everyone fears him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “powerful” translations and entries puissant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puissant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
