pellicule
/pɛ.li.kyl/
The English phrase "roll of film" is translated into French as pellicule.
While pellicule refers to the light-sensitive material itself, it is the standard term used when discussing the medium of analog photography.
Which one should you use?
The phrase bobine de pellicule can also be used to refer specifically to the physical spool or roll of film.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, rouleau de film is a common way to say "roll of film" in French.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pellicule is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɛ.li.kyl/
Did you know?
- If you have dandruff, you are dealing with pellicules. In French, the word for a 'roll of film' is the same word used for those tiny flakes of dead skin on a scalp.
- The word pellicule actually derives from a word meaning 'small skin' or 'hide'.
- Beyond photography, pellicule describes any thin layer or film on a surface, such as a pellicule de graisse meaning a 'film of grease'.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'une pellicule photographique pour mon appareil photo.I need a roll of film for my camera.
- Le réalisateur a demandé une bobine de film pour le tournage.The director asked for a roll of film for the shooting.
- Je viens d'acheter un nouvel appareil photo argentique, tu sais où je peux trouver un rouleau de pellicule ?I just bought a new film camera, do you know where I can find a roll of film?
- Les vieilles bobines de pellicule ont un charme spécial dans la photographie analogique.Old rolls of film have a special charm in analog photography.
- J'ai acheté une nouvelle pellicule.I bought a new roll of film.
- Il manque une pellicule dans l'appareil.There is a roll of film missing in the camera.
- Cette pellicule est pour mon appareil photo.This roll of film is for my camera.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are preparing for a photography trip.
- HugoEmma, as-tu une pellicule pour moi ?Emma, do you have a roll of film for me?
- EmmaOui, je l'ai dans mon sac.Yes, I have it in my bag.
- HugoSuper, on peut commencer à prendre des photos.Great, we can start taking photos.
- EmmaAttends, je dois d'abord charger la pellicule.Wait, I need to load the roll of film first.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pellicule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pellicule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
