phoque
/fɔk/masculine
The English word 'seal' can be translated into French as phoque.
The word phoque refers to a pinniped.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use 'seal' as a general term for many pinnipeds, French distinguishes between phoque (true seal) and otarie (sea lion/eared seal).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fɔk/
Did you know?
- In spoken French, the word phoque is a homophone for a vulgar slang term for 'dick'. This makes the word a frequent subject of puns and juvenile jokes in French schools and movies.
- While phoque refers to the animal, French uses the word sceau or cachet for a wax seal used on a letter. These are completely different words with no shared root.
- The French word phoque is derived from the Latin phōca, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word phṓkē.
Examples in context
- Le phoque est un mammifère marin.A seal is a marine mammal.This sentence is useful for identifying the seal as a marine mammal.Tatoeba #4468592 by Mutusen, translation #13052513 by araneo
- Peux-tu faire la différence entre un phoque et une otarie ?Can you tell the difference between a seal and a sea lion?This sentence is useful for asking someone to distinguish between a phoque and an otarie.Tatoeba #8925744 by lbdx, translation #8926338 by carlosalberto
- Ce phoque est un mammifère marin très intelligent.This seal is a highly intelligent marine mammal.
- Je trouve les phoques vraiment mignons!I find seals really cute!
- Un phoque nage dans l'eau glacée.A seal swims in the icy water.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- HugoRegarde ce joli phoque sur le rocher !Look at that pretty seal on the rock!
- ChloéIl est vraiment mignon, Hugo.He is really cute, Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce qu'il peut rester là longtemps ?Can he stay there for a long time?
- ChloéJe pense qu'il va bientôt repartir.I think he will leave soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seal” translations and entries phoque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries phoque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
