ciel
/sjɛl/masculine
The English phrase sky is translated into French as ciel.
ciel refers to the atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars and clouds are seen. In certain religious or poetic contexts, ciel can also refer to heaven.
Meaning: atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
ciel is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine definite article le to form le ciel (the sky).
How do you pronounce it?
/sjɛl/
When do people say it?
The expression avoir la tête dans les étoiles means to have one's head in the stars and is used to describe someone who is dreamy or lost in their thoughts.
Did you know?
- In French architecture, a ciel de lit is a canopy over a bed, essentially creating a fabric 'sky' to protect the sleeper.
- The word ciel can be used as an interjection, similar to how an English speaker might exclaim 'heavens!' when surprised or annoyed.
- The etymology of ciel traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *keh₂i-, which means 'whole', suggesting the sky was once perceived as the 'whole' or the totality of the universe.
Examples in context
- Le ciel est bleu.The sky is blue.Tatoeba #342114 by sysko, translation #18275 by CK
- Le ciel est calme.The sky is serene.Tatoeba #5235152 by sicerabibax, translation #5484338 by sundown
- Le ciel sera bleu.The sky will be blue.Tatoeba #5276664 by martin9, translation #5276690 by Fireblade75
- Le soleil brille dans le ciel bleu.The sun is shining in the blue sky.
- Les oiseaux volent haut dans le ciel.The birds are flying high in the sky.
- Le ciel clairClear sky
- Le ciel nuageuxCloudy sky
- Le ciel étoiléStarlit sky
- Le ciel grisGray sky
- 325 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are looking out the window at night.
- EmmaRegarde le ciel, Gabriel !Look at the sky, Gabriel!
- GabrielOui, le ciel est très étoilé.Yes, the sky is very starry.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu vois la lune ?Do you see the moon?
- GabrielElle brille fort dans le ciel.It is shining brightly in the sky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sky” translations and entries ciel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
