bus scolaire
/bys skɔ.lɛʁ/masculine
The English phrase "school bus" is translated into French as bus scolaire. Wiktionary also lists autobus scolaire.
Meaning: transport for schoolchildren (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bus scolaire | /bys skɔ.lɛʁ/ | masculine |
| autobus scolaire | /o.tɔ.bys skɔ.lɛʁ/ /ɔ.tɔ.bys skɔ.lɛʁ/ |
masculine |
The phrase refers to a vehicle used to transport schoolchildren.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun bus (bus) and the adjective scolaire (school-related).
Which one should you use?
Autobus scolaire is a more complete or formal term, whereas bus scolaire is more common in everyday speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term l'autobus scolaire is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective scolaire follows the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/bys skɔ.lɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The word bus comes from the Latin word omnibus, which means 'for all'.
Examples in context
- Y a-t-il un bus scolaire ?Is there a school bus?This sentence is useful for asking if a school bus exists.Tatoeba #182019 by Romira, translation #52284 by CK
- J'ai raté mon bus scolaire !I missed the school bus!This sentence is useful for expressing that you missed the bus scolaire.Tatoeba #442179 by ajira86, translation #52285 by CE
- Lorsque les élèves terminent les cours, ils rentrent chez eux en bus scolaire.When the students finish classes, they go home by school bus.
- Les enfants doivent attendre le bus de ramassage scolaire à l'arrêt situé près de leur domicile.The children need to wait for the school pick-up bus at the stop near their home.
- Le bus scolaire est garé là-bas.The school bus is parked over there.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are waiting at a street corner.
- ManonNathan, est-ce que tu vois le bus scolaire ?Nathan, do you see the school bus?
- NathanNon, je ne le vois pas encore.No, I don't see it yet.
- ManonRegarde, il arrive au bout de la rue !Look, it is coming at the end of the street!
- NathanAh oui, le voilà !Ah yes, there it is!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school bus” translations and entries bus scolaire, autobus scolaire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries autobus, bus, scolaire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
