poisson-globe
The English phrase "puffer fish" is translated into French as poisson-globe.
The term refers to a type of fish that can inflate its body into a ball shape to protect itself from predators.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of poisson (fish) and globe (globe/sphere), literally meaning "globe fish".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so you use the masculine article un when referring to a single puffer fish, as in un poisson-globe.
Did you know?
- French culinary experts often bypass the French term entirely and use fugu, a word borrowed directly from Japanese.
- The plural form poissons-globes requires an 's' on both parts of the compound noun, unlike many other French compound nouns where only the first part changes.
- The term globe can be used in French to describe any object that is perfectly spherical, moving beyond its literal meaning as a map of the earth.
Examples in context
- Je suis allé au restaurant japonais et j'ai commandé du poisson-globe frit.I went to a Japanese restaurant and ordered fried puffer fish.
- Le poisson-globe est très toxique.The puffer fish is very toxic.
- Le poisson-globe est très impressionnant.The puffer fish is very impressive.
- J'ai vu un poisson-globe dans l'aquarium.I saw a puffer fish in the aquarium.
- Attention, ce poisson-globe peut gonfler.Watch out, this puffer fish can inflate.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are visiting an aquarium.
- NathanRegarde, Chloé, c'est un poisson-globe !Look, Chloé, it's a puffer fish!
- ChloéOh, il est tout rond !Oh, it is completely round!
- NathanIl gonfle pour se protéger.It inflates to protect itself.
- ChloéC'est fascinant à regarder.It's fascinating to watch.
