imprimante
/ɛ̃.pʁi.mɑ̃t/feminine
The French word for printer is imprimante.
In a computing context, imprimante refers to the device used to print text or images.
Meaning: computing: device used to print text or images (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word imprimante is derived from the verb imprimer, which means 'to print'.
How does it change in a sentence?
imprimante is a feminine noun. When using an indefinite article, use une imprimante (a printer) and when using the definite article, use l'imprimante (the printer). To form the plural, simply add an 's' to the end to get imprimantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃.pʁi.mɑ̃t/ (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say 'the print is blurry', a French speaker refers to the result of the imprimante as une impression, which also means 'a feeling' or 'an impression'.
- The word imprimante is related to the English word 'imprint'. Both stem from the Latin 'imprimere' which means 'to press into'.
- In French, the term imprimer is used for 'printing' a fingerprint or a footprint on a surface, whereas English usually uses 'leave'.
Examples in context
- Où est l'imprimante ?Where is the printer?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the imprimante.Tatoeba #6827317 by GB3, translation #5554692 by sifhg
- Tom a une imprimante 3D.Tom has a 3D printer.This sentence shows how to describe owning a 3D imprimante.Tatoeba #6761730 by GB3, translation #6761400 by Hybrid
- Je n'ai pas d'imprimante.I don't have a printer.This sentence demonstrates a negative statement regarding the possession of an imprimante.Tatoeba #7007257 by Aiji, translation #4497926 by CK
- Tu peux m'imprimer cette photo, s'il te plaît ?Can you print this picture for me, please?
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are in a home office.
- NathanEst-ce que l'imprimante fonctionne ?Is the printer working?
- ChloéNon, il n'y a plus de papier.No, there is no more paper.
- NathanJe vais remplir l'imprimante alors.I will refill the printer then.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Nathan.Thank you very much, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “printer” translations and entries imprimante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
