queer
/kwiʁ/feminine, masculine
The English phrase 'queer' can be translated into French using the loanword queer.
In French, queer is used as a loanword from English to refer to non-normative sexualities and gender identities.
Meaning: pertaining to non-normative sexuality (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective in French, queer is invariable in gender, meaning it does not change form for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwiʁ/
Did you know?
- In some French-speaking African countries, the use of the English loanword queer is sometimes preferred over French terms to bypass local linguistic taboos.
- In French queer studies, scholars often discuss la queerisation of space or art, creating a new noun from the English root to describe the process of challenging norms.
- While queer is common in academic and activist circles, many French speakers still prefer the term queer over the traditional homosexuel because it avoids the medical connotations associated with the latter.
Examples in context
- Tom s'identifie comme queer.Tom identifies as queer.Tatoeba #5790355 by Knabacxo, translation #4435132 by shekitten
- C'était une soirée saphique organisée par une équipe queer.It was a sapphic night organised by a queer team.Tatoeba #12972886 by QuentiBc, translation #12972883 by QuentiBc
- Les catholiques devraient d'abord mettre de l'ordre chez eux avant de condamner les personnes queer pour des motifs bien moins graves.Catholics should get their own house in order before condemning queer people for far less.Tatoeba #14041892 by Myrano_, translation #11952161 by shekitten
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are discussing a new art exhibition.
- LucasTu as vu l'exposition sur l'art queer ?Did you see the exhibition on queer art?
- LéaOui, j'ai trouvé ça très inspirant.Yes, I found it very inspiring.
- LucasElle met vraiment en avant des perspectives queer.It really highlights queer perspectives.
- LéaC'est vrai, c'est une approche très moderne.True, it's a very modern approach.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “queer” translations and entries queer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
