avis
/a.vi/
The English phrase "reviews" is translated into French as avis.
In the context of e-commerce and online platforms, avis is the standard term used for customer reviews. While the word can also mean a formal "opinion," it is the go-to word when people are sharing their thoughts about a product or service.
Which one should you use?
While avis is common, you may encounter other forms. Les critiques is the most direct translation for "the reviews." Les évaluations carries a more technical connotation and is often used when referring specifically to ratings and evaluations. In informal spoken French, you might hear Les retours to refer to feedback or reviews.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word avis is the same in both its singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /a.vi/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word critique to mean a customer review. In French, critique usually refers to a formal, professional literary or artistic critique rather than a simple consumer review.
Did you know?
- While avis means 'review' or 'opinion', the phrase avis de recherche is used specifically for a 'missing person' or 'wanted' poster.
- In French administrative law, an avis can be a legally binding formal notice or warning rather than just a personal opinion.
- The word avis shares its roots with the Latin 'visus', meaning 'sight' or 'view'. This is why an 'opinion' in French is etymologically linked to the act of seeing something.
Examples in context
- Beaucoup d'avis de lecteurs sur Amazon sont faux.Many reader reviews on Amazon are fake.This sentence is useful for discussing the authenticity of the avis on Amazon.Tatoeba #8976797 by Aiji, translation #4970476 by AlanF_US
- Les avis sur cet hôtel sont excellents !The reviews of this hotel are great!This sentence is useful for describing the quality of the avis for a hotel.Tatoeba #13748657 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13748656 by Ioan_Cristian
- Les critiques de ce restaurant sont excellentesThe reviews of this restaurant are excellent
- Les évaluations des utilisateurs sont très positivesThe users' ratings are very positive
- Les avis clients sont importants pour nousCustomer reviews are important to us
- Les critiques de ce film sont super intéressantesThe reviews of this movie are really interesting
- T'as vu les avis sur ce nouvel album?Have you seen the reviews on this new album?
- J'ai entendu de bons retours sur ce livreI heard good reviews about this book
- Les critiques sont un excellent moyen de se faire une idée sur un produit ou un service.Reviews are an excellent way to get an idea about a product or service.
- J'ai lu les avis avant d'acheter ce livre.I read the reviews before buying this book.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at a new restaurant on their phones.
- LucasTu as vu les avis sur ce restaurant ?Have you seen the reviews for this restaurant?
- ChloéOui, il y a beaucoup d'avis positifs.Yes, there are many positive reviews.
- LucasÇa me donne envie d'y aller.That makes me want to go there.
- ChloéOn peut réserver une table pour demain ?Can we book a table for tomorrow?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry avis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
