rouler
/ʁu.le/
To roll in French is rouler.
The verb rouler is used for both the physical act of an object rolling and for the movement of vehicles like cars or bicycles.
Meaning: to turn over and over (verb)
Which one should you use?
While rouler describes the motion of rolling, it is distinct from tourner, which means to turn or to rotate a fixed axis.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʁu.le/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The expression rouler quelqu'un dans la farine literally means 'to roll someone in flour' and is used when someone has been completely deceived.
- To describe someone living a life of extreme luxury, you can say they roulent sur l'or, which literally means they are 'rolling on gold'.
- The English word 'roll' and the French rouler both share a common ancestor in the Latin word 'rotula', meaning a small wheel.
Examples in context
- Fais rouler le baril ici.Roll the barrel over here.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of rouler with an object.Tatoeba #9547827 by Aiji, translation #2985551 by sharptoothed
- Laissez les bons temps rouler.Let the good times roll.This sentence demonstrates a common idiomatic expression using rouler.Tatoeba #747359 by Micsmithel, translation #747360 by CM
- J'ai finalement appris comment rouler mes « R » !I've finally learned how to roll my R's!This sentence uses rouler in the context of pronouncing or rolling a sound.Tatoeba #527994 by sysko, translation #527991 by nickyeow
- Il a réussi à rouler parfaitement la boule de neige.He managed to roll the snowball perfectly.
- Il faut rouler le tapis pour le nettoyer.You need to roll up the carpet to clean it.
- Elle aime enrouler ses cheveux autour de son doigt.She likes to wind her hair around her finger.
- Veuillez enrouler le câble autour du support.Please coil the cable around the holder.
- Il est préférable d'enrouler les vêtements avant de les mettre dans la valise.It's better to roll up the clothes before putting them in the suitcase.
- Elle a déroulé le parchemin ancien avec précaution.She unrolled the ancient parchment carefully.
- Nous allons dérouler le tapis pour l'installer correctement.We will unroll the carpet to place it properly.
- Le rideau se déroule automatiquement lorsque vous appuyez sur ce bouton.The curtain unrolls automatically when you press this button.
- Ils se sont roulé une pelle en plein milieu de la rue !They passionately kissed right in the middle of the street!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are playing with a ball in the park.
- NathanRegarde le ballon rouler sur l'herbe !Look at the ball roll on the grass!
- LéaIl roule très vite vers nous.It is rolling very fast towards us.
- NathanJe vais essayer de le faire rouler là-bas.I'm going to try to make it roll over there.
- LéaC'est une bonne idée, Nathan.That's a good idea, Nathan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rouler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rouler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
