roseau
/ʁo.zo/masculine
The English phrase 'reed' is translated into French as roseau.
The term refers to a grass-like plant.
Meaning: grass-like plant (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple reeds, use the plural form roseaux.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ʁo.zo/.
Did you know?
- In the context of musical instruments, the French word for a woodwind 'reed' is anche. While a roseau is the plant itself, the piece of cane used in a clarinet or saxophone is called an anche.
- The word roseau is central to a famous philosophical phrase by Blaise Pascal, who described man as a roseau pensant, or a 'thinking reed'. It suggests that while humans are physically fragile like a plant, their ability to think makes them stronger than the universe.
- In French folklore and fables, such as those by Jean de La Fontaine, the roseau is often contrasted with the 'oak'. While the oak is strong and breaks in a storm, the roseau survives because it is flexible and bends with the wind.
Examples in context
- Le roseau courbe sous le vent.The reed bends in the wind.This sentence shows how roseau behaves in a natural setting.Tatoeba #8700692 by Julien_PDC, translation #8700710 by Adelpa
- un roseauA reed
- Un roseau pousse près du lac.A reed is growing near the lake.
- Elle a ramassé un roseau pour son projet.She picked up a reed for her project.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are walking by a river.
- HugoRegarde ce roseau ici, Emma.Look at this reed here, Emma.
- EmmaIl est vraiment mince.It is really thin.
- HugoOui, le roseau est flexible.Yes, the reed is flexible.
- EmmaC'est fascinant, Hugo.It is fascinating, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reed” translations and entries roseau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
