route
/ʁut/feminine
The French word for road is route.
The word route refers to a road or a specific route used for travel. A common idiomatic expression is prendre la route, which means to hit the road or to start a journey.
Meaning: a way for travel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While route is used for a road, other words are more precise depending on the context. Use chemin to refer to a path or a smaller, often unpaved way through nature. Use rue if the road is a street located within a town or city, typically with buildings on either side.
How does it change in a sentence?
route is a feminine noun, so it is preceded by feminine articles such as la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁut/
Did you know?
- The term déroute comes from the same root as route but means a 'rout' or a total disaster. It literally describes a road that has been lost or turned into chaos.
- The word route comes from the Latin rupta, meaning 'broken'. It originally described a road created by breaking through obstacles like rocks or forests.
- In France, the 'Route Nationale' system historically used numbers to designate roads, and these numbers became so iconic that they often identify entire regions or local identities.
Examples in context
- Prenons la route !Let's go on a road trip.This sentence shows how to use route when suggesting a road trip.Tatoeba #1973658 by sacredceltic, translation #1972590 by CK
- Regarde la route !Watch the road.This sentence demonstrates how to use route when telling someone to watch the road.Tatoeba #3473598 by sacredceltic, translation #3467757 by Hybrid
- Taillons la route !Let's hit the road.This sentence shows a way to use route when expressing the idea of hitting the road.Tatoeba #3459552 by sacredceltic, translation #3453468 by Olya
- Quelle route dois-je prendre pour aller à Paris?Which road should I take to go to Paris?
- Restez sur la voie de droiteStay in the right lane
- La chaussée est en mauvais étatThe road surface is in poor condition
- On a fait une belle balade sur le cheminWe took a nice walk on the road/trail
- Je me promène dans la rue principaleI am walking down the main street
- J'habite dans une petite ruelle pittoresqueI live in a quaint alley
- 308 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are planning a road trip.
- EmmaQuelle route est la plus courte ?Which road is the shortest?
- HugoCette route est très rapide.This road is very fast.
- EmmaEst-ce que la route est sûre ?Is the road safe?
- HugoOui, la route est parfaite.Yes, the road is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “road” translations and entries route, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries route, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
