phoque
/fɔk/masculine
The French word for the animal seal is phoque.
The word phoque is a masculine noun used to refer to the pinniped mammal.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Which one should you use?
While phoque refers to a seal, otarie is the specific term used for a sea lion.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fɔk/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use the verb sceller (to seal a document) when they mean the animal phoque.
Did you know?
- The word phoque is used in a common French slang expression phoque-moi, which is a phonetic play on a vulgar phrase meaning 'fuck me'.
- In French, the animal phoque and the nautical 'jib' sail foc are perfect homophones, meaning they sound identical when spoken.
- The French term phoque descends from the Latin phōca, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek φώκη.
Examples in context
- Le phoque est un mammifère marin.A seal is 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?Tatoeba #8925744 by lbdx, translation #8926338 by carlosalberto
- Il y a un phoque qui nage près de la plage.There is a seal swimming near the beach.
- Le petit phoque se repose sur la plage ensoleillée.The little seal is resting on the sunny beach.
- La chasse aux phoques est une pratique controversée dans certaines régions.Seal hunting is a controversial practice in some regions.
- J'ai vu un phoque sur la plage.I saw a seal on the beach.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are at the aquarium.
- ManonRegarde ce beau phoque, Nathan !Look at this beautiful seal, Nathan!
- NathanIl est vraiment mignon.It is really cute.
- ManonEst-ce qu'il dort beaucoup ?Does he sleep a lot?
- NathanOui, il semble très calme.Yes, he seems very calm.
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.
