hippocampe
/i.pɔ.kɑ̃p/
The English word "seahorse" is translated into French as hippocampe.
The word hippocampe refers to the small marine fish characterized by a head resembling a horse and a curled tail.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound derived from Greek roots: hippos meaning horse and kampos meaning sea monster or sea creature.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine. Therefore, it is preceded by the masculine articles le or un (e.g., un hippocampe).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /i.pɔ.kɑ̃p/.
Did you know?
- The French word hippocampe is also the name of a curved structure in the brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation.
- Because hippocampe is a learned borrowing from Latin and Greek, it shares the same root as the English word 'hippopotamus', which also means 'river horse'.
- Unlike the English 'seahorse', which describes the animal's appearance, the French hippocampe relates the creature to the mythical sea-horses that pulled the chariot of Poseidon.
Examples in context
- L'hippocampe mâle porte les œufs.The male seahorse carries the eggs.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word hippocampe when discussing the biology of the animal.Tatoeba #9857110 by lbdx, translation #8985330 by mccarras
- Je vous présente l'hippocampe.Allow me to introduce the seahorse to you.
- Regarde le p'tit hippocampe là-bas!Look at that little seahorse over there!
- Je suis fasciné(e) par les hippocampes!I'm fascinated by seahorses!
- J'ai vu un hippocampe dans l'aquarium.I saw a seahorse in the aquarium.
- L'hippocampe est un animal très étrange.The seahorse is a very strange animal.
Example conversation
Two friends are visiting a marine center.
- ChloéRegarde ce petit hippocampe, Nathan !Look at this little seahorse, Nathan!
- NathanIl est vraiment mignon, Chloé.It is really cute, Chloé.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'il nage vite ?Does it swim fast?
- NathanNon, il bouge très lentement.No, it moves very slowly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hippocampe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hippocampe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
