eau salée
The English phrase saltwater is eau salée in French.
The term eau salée is used to describe saltwater.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of eau (water) and the feminine adjective salée (salty).
Which one should you use?
While eau salée refers to saltwater, the standard term for freshwater is eau douce.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'saltwaters' in a plural sense, both the noun eau and the adjective salée must take the plural form eaux salées.
Did you know?
- While salée means 'salty' in the context of eau salée, the word salé can also be used as slang to describe a price that is 'outrageously expensive'.
- In French, the opposite of eau salée is eau douce, which literally translates to 'sweet water'.
- In certain French culinary contexts, salée is used to distinguish a savory dish from a sucrée or sweet one.
Examples in context
- Les océans du monde contiennent beaucoup d'eau salée.The oceans of the world contain much saltwater.
- L'eau salée est très froide aujourd'hui.The saltwater is very cold today.
- Les poissons vivent dans l'eau salée.The fish live in saltwater.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are swimming in the ocean.
- LéaRegarde Lucas, l'eau salée est très claire ici.Look Lucas, the saltwater is very clear here.
- LucasC'est vrai, c'est magnifique.It's true, it's magnificent.
- LéaFais attention à ne pas en boire.Be careful not to drink any.
- LucasJe sais, l'eau salée n'est pas bonne à boire.I know, saltwater is not good to drink.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry eau salée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
