évier
/e.vje/masculine
The English word 'sink' (referring to a basin) is translated into French as évier.
Meaning: basin (noun)
Which one should you use?
French makes a common distinction between different types of basins: évier is used for a kitchen sink, whereas lavabo is used for a bathroom washbasin.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
évier is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /e.vje/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use lavabo to refer to a kitchen sink. However, in French, lavabo is specifically reserved for the bathroom.
Did you know?
- The word lavabo is also used in Catholic liturgy to describe the ritual washing of the priest's hands during Mass.
- To describe a 'clogged sink', French speakers use the expression évier bouché. The word bouché comes from the word for 'mouth', implying the drain's mouth is closed.
- While évier is for the kitchen and lavabo is for the bathroom, French uses a third word, plonge, to describe the specific area of a professional kitchen where dishes are washed.
Examples in context
- Tom a frotté l'évier.Tom scrubbed the sink.This sentence is useful for describing the action of scrubbing an évier.Tatoeba #7695459 by Maxence, translation #2546963 by CK
- J'ai vu l'éponge dans l'évier.I saw the sponge in the sink.This sentence shows the location of an object inside an évier.Tatoeba #12002693 by lbdx, translation #1556797 by kerbear407
- Il y a des plats sales dans l'évier.There are dirty dishes in the sink.This sentence demonstrates how dirty dishes are kept in an évier.Tatoeba #5337337 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #5337278 by Hybrid
- Veuillez nettoyer l'évier après utilisation.Please clean the sink after use.
- Merci de ne pas laisser de vaisselle dans le lavabo.Thank you for not leaving dishes in the sink.
- J'ai besoin de laver les légumes dans l'évier avant de les cuisiner.I need to wash the vegetables in the sink before cooking them.
- N'oublie pas de nettoyer l'évier de cuisine après avoir fait la vaisselle.Don't forget to clean the kitchen sink after doing the dishes.
- J'ai accidentellement perdu ma bague dans le trou de l'évier !I accidentally lost my ring down the sink!
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are in the kitchen after cooking.
- EmmaL'évier est presque plein.The sink is almost full.
- LucasJe vais le nettoyer tout de suite.I will clean it right away.
- EmmaMerci, c'est très gentil, Lucas.Thanks, that's very kind, Lucas.
- LucasDe rien, Emma.You're welcome, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sink” translations and entries évier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
