scientifique
/sjɑ̃.ti.fik/feminine, masculine
The French word for "scientist" is scientifique. Wiktionary also lists savant.
Meaning: one whose activities make use of the scientific method (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| scientifique | /sjɑ̃.ti.fik/ | feminine, masculine |
| savant | /sa.vɑ̃/ | masculine |
The term refers to a person whose activities make use of the scientific method.
Which one should you use?
While scientifique refers to a practitioner of science, savant is an older-fashioned term used to describe a highly learned person or a scholar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word scientifique can function as both a noun meaning "scientist" and an adjective meaning "scientific". It is used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/sjɑ̃.ti.fik/
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say 'a scientist', a French speaker might use the phrase chercheur (researcher) to describe a professional working in a laboratory or academic institution.
- In historical contexts, a savant was often a polymath who mastered many different fields, rather than a specialist in just one.
- Historically, the word savant was used for people of learning before the English word 'scientist' was even coined in 1833.
Examples in context
- C'est un grand scientifique.He is a great scientist.This sentence is useful for showing how to use scientifique as a noun to describe a person's greatness.Tatoeba #1330063 by sacredceltic, translation #293549 by CK
- Je ne suis pas scientifique.I'm not a scientist.This sentence shows the negation of the word scientifique in a personal context.Tatoeba #1795452 by sacredceltic, translation #1795439 by Spamster
- Antonio a regardé le scientifique.Antonio looked at the scientist.This sentence demonstrates the use of scientifique as a masculine noun to identify a person.Tatoeba #13345105 by genes1s, translation #11774701 by Amastan
- Elle est une chercheuse très compétenteShe is a highly competent researcher
- C'est un vrai savantHe's a real scientist
- Le prix Nobel a été décerné à un scientifique français.The Nobel Prize was awarded to a French scientist.
- Elle est devenue une experte en physique nucléaire grâce à sa carrière de chercheuse.She became an expert in nuclear physics through her career as a researcher.
- Ce savant a révolutionné le domaine de l'informatique.This scientist revolutionized the field of computer science.
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about a famous woman in history.
- HugoEst-ce qu'elle était une grande scientifique ?Was she a great scientist?
- ChloéOui, c'était une scientifique très brillante.Yes, she was a very brilliant scientist.
- HugoJe veux devenir scientifique moi aussi.I want to become a scientist too.
- ChloéC'est un métier passionnant pour toi, Hugo.It is an exciting profession for you, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scientist” translations and entries scientifique, savant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
