marionnette
/ma.ʁjɔ.nɛt/feminine
The French word for puppet is marionnette.
A marionnette is a movable model of a person or animal. Like in English, this word can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is being controlled by someone else.
Meaning: movable model of a person or animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
marionnette is a feminine noun. This means that any articles or adjectives used with it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /ma.ʁjɔ.nɛt/.
Did you know?
- In French culture, the Guignol puppet is a legendary figure from Lyon who represents the voice of the common people and social rebellion.
- The word marionnette is actually a diminutive of the name 'Marie'. It stems from the use of small statues of the Virgin Mary in religious plays.
- While a marionnette is a general term for a puppet, in professional French theatre, it specifically refers to a puppet controlled by strings from above.
Examples in context
- De qui Trump était-il la marionnette ?Whose puppet was Trump?This sentence shows how to use marionnette to ask who was controlling a person.Tatoeba #9617867 by sacredceltic, translation #13400743 by rul
- Une marionnette ne sait pas qu'elle est manipulée.A puppet does not know that it is being controlled.This sentence uses marionnette in a metaphorical sense regarding being manipulated.Tatoeba #1690407 by gall, translation #1487438 by marshmallowcat
- Je vais au théatre de marionnettes avec mon neveu.I am going to the puppet theatre with my nephew.This sentence uses the phrase théâtre de marionnettes to describe a puppet theatre.Tatoeba #13953131 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13953130 by Ioan_Cristian
- Jeanne s'est produite sur scène en utilisant une marionnette pour raconter une histoire captivante.Jeanne performed on stage using a puppet to tell a captivating story.
- Le personnage principal du roman était manipulé comme un pantin par les forces obscures.The main character of the novel was manipulated like a puppet by dark forces.
- Pierre adore jouer avec des marionnettes quand il anime des spectacles pour les enfants.Pierre loves playing with puppets when he entertains children with his shows.
- Les guignols de Lyon amusent toujours les passants avec leurs histoires drôles et leurs incroyables marionnettes.The Lyon guignols always entertain passers-by with their funny stories and incredible puppets.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking at a toy in a shop window.
- LéaRegarde cette jolie marionnette en bois.Look at this pretty wooden puppet.
- NathanElle est très colorée, n'est-ce pas ?It is very colorful, isn't it?
- LéaOui, elle ferait un beau cadeau pour un enfant.Yes, it would make a lovely gift for a child.
- NathanTu as raison, elle va lui plaire.You are right, he will like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puppet” translations and entries marionnette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marionnette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
