bague
/baɡ/feminine
The English word 'ring' can be translated into French as bague or anneau depending on the context.
Meaning: round piece of (precious) metal worn around the finger (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bague | /baɡ/ /ˈba.ɡə/ |
feminine |
| anneau | /a.no/ | masculine |
Both terms refer to a round piece of metal, but they are used in different contexts. Use bague when you are referring specifically to a piece of jewelry worn on a finger. If you are talking about a wedding ring, the specific term used is alliance. The related verb sonner can be used to describe producing a resonant sound or the sound of a bell.
Which one should you use?
Use bague when referring to jewelry worn on the finger. In contrast, use anneau when referring to a ring-shaped object or a hoop, such as a metal ring used for other purposes rather than as a decorative accessory.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine bague is bagues. The masculine anneau has the plural form anneaux.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɡ/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests bague comes from the Latin word baca, meaning 'berry', because of the shape of the jewelry.
- The word bague is used in French to describe a bird's leg band, which is a ring used for identification.
- To 'ring' a bell is sonner, but to 'ring' a phone is appeler or téléphoner, as the sound of the bell is no longer the primary action.
Examples in context
- Où est ma bague ?Where's my ring?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a bague.Tatoeba #7790884 by Aiji, translation #2254650 by CK
- Tom a volé l'anneau.Tom stole the ring.This sentence is useful for describing the theft of an anneau.Tatoeba #5091014 by kamillel, translation #5089982 by CK
- J'ai perdu ma bague.I lost my ring.This sentence is useful for stating that a bague has been lost.Tatoeba #6579158 by GB3, translation #6577126 by Eccles17
- Madame Dupont a une magnifique bague en diamant.Mrs. Dupont has a magnificent diamond ring.
- Le président a reçu un anneau en signe d'autorité.The president received a ring as a sign of authority.
- Ils ont échangé leurs alliances lors de la cérémonie.They exchanged their wedding rings during the ceremony.
- Regarde cette bague magnifique que j'ai trouvée aujourd'hui!Look at this amazing ring I found today!
- 95 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a jewelry shop window.
- LéaRegarde cette bague, Lucas !Look at this ring, Lucas!
- LucasElle est très belle, Léa.It is very beautiful, Léa.
- LéaTu aimes le style ?Do you like the style?
- LucasOui, elle te va bien.Yes, it suits you well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ring” translations and entries bague, anneau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anneau, bague, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
