aléatoire
/a.le.a.twaʁ/
The English word 'random' is translated into French as aléatoire.
The adjective aléatoire is used in scientific or technical contexts to mean 'random'. It often carries a connotation of being 'unpredictable' or 'uncertain', such as describing an uncertain risk.
Meaning: apropos of nothing (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective aléatoire is the same in both its masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.le.a.twaʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective aléatoire when they should instead use the adverbial phrase au hasard to mean 'at random'.
Did you know?
- The French language uses the word hasard for 'chance', which is a loanword from the Arabic al-zahr, meaning 'the die'.
- If a French speaker wants to say someone is acting 'random' or weird, they might use the word décalé, which literally means 'shifted' or 'off-center'.
- While English speakers use 'random' to describe a quirky or unexpected person, a French speaker would never use aléatoire in this way.
Examples in context
- C'est un nombre aléatoire.It's a random number.This sentence is useful for using aléatoire to describe a number.Tatoeba #13162741 by Rovo, translation #13157625 by rul
- C'est tellement aléatoire !This is so random.This sentence is useful for using aléatoire to express that something is random.Tatoeba #1901149 by sacredceltic, translation #1894347 by Spamster
- C'était complètement aléatoire.It was totally random.Tatoeba #4081182 by sbamsbamsbam, translation #4066622 by Hybrid
- Il a choisi un numéro au hasard.He chose a number randomly.
- J'ai pris un livre au hasard dans la bibliothèque.I picked a book randomly from the library.
- La distribution des échantillons a été réalisée de manière aléatoire.The distribution of samples was done randomly.
- Le processus de sélection a été effectué de manière aléatoire pour éviter toute partialité.The selection process was carried out randomly to avoid any bias.
- J'ai choisi un cadeau au pif.I randomly chose a gift.
- On distribue les invitations de manière aléatoire.We distribute the invitations randomly.
- Il faut choisir un nombre de manière aléatoire.You need to choose a number randomly.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a decision made at a café.
- NathanPourquoi as-tu choisi ce restaurant ?Why did you choose this restaurant?
- ManonC'était un choix complètement aléatoire.It was a completely random choice.
- NathanTu es vraiment imprévisible, Manon.You are truly unpredictable, Manon.
- ManonMerci, Nathan !Thanks, Nathan!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aléatoire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
