sandale
/sɑ̃.dal/feminine
The French word for "sandal" is sandale.
sandale is used to refer to a type of footwear. In informal contexts, when referring specifically to simple, slip-on sandals that do not have any straps, the word claquette is used.
Meaning: type of footwear (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃.dal/
Did you know?
- The word claquette is used for both a slip-on sandal and the wooden clapper used by film directors to mark a scene.
- French speakers often use the phrase être en claquettes to describe a state of total relaxation or being on holiday.
- The Greek root of sandale, the diminutive sandálion, actually means 'a little sandal', emphasizing the small and lightweight nature of the footwear.
Examples in context
- Je porte mes tongs à la plageI'm wearing my sandals to the beach
- Je vais mettre mes claquettes pour aller à la piscineI'll put on my sandals to go to the pool
- Il fait chaud, je vais opter pour mes nu-piedsIt's hot, I'm going to go for my sandals
- J'adore mes sandales préférées, je les porte tout l'étéI love my favorite sandals, I wear them all summer
- Cette sandale bleue est cassée.This blue sandal is broken.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are walking on the beach.
- GabrielChloé, tu as perdu une sandale !Chloé, you lost a sandal!
- ChloéOh non, ma sandale est dans le sable.Oh no, my sandal is in the sand.
- GabrielAttends, je vais la chercher pour toi.Wait, I will go look for it for you.
- ChloéMerci, Gabriel, tu es très gentil.Thank you, Gabriel, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sandal” translations and entries sandale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sandale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
