esclavage
/ɛs.kla.vaʒ/masculine
In French, slavery is esclavage.
esclavage refers to the institution or practice of owning human beings. The most common and formal word for 'slavery' in French is esclavage. Note that while esclavage describes the institution, the noun for the person (slave) is esclave, which is closely related to the noun for the institution (slavery), esclavage.
Meaning: institution or practice of owning human beings (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because esclavage starts with a vowel, the definite article 'le' elides to 'l’' before it.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛs.kla.vaʒ/. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The French word esclave shares a common ancestor with the English word 'slave', both tracing back to the Medieval Latin term 'sclava', meaning 'Slav'.
- French has a specific term, code noir, referring to the set of laws established by Louis XIV to regulate esclavage in the French colonies, which influenced slave laws across the Caribbean.
- In modern French, esclave is frequently used as a colloquial metaphor for someone who is overworked, such as esclave du travail to describe a 'workaholic'.
Examples in context
- Le garçon fut vendu en esclavage.The boy was sold into slavery.This sentence shows how to express being sold into the condition of esclavage.Tatoeba #457852 by sacredceltic, translation #268032 by CK
- Lincoln était opposé à l'esclavage.Lincoln was opposed to slavery.This sentence illustrates expressing opposition to the institution of esclavage.Tatoeba #14187 by Micsmithel, translation #29642 by CK
- J'ai l'intention d'abolir l'esclavage.I intend to abolish slavery.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase when discussing the abolition of esclavage.Tatoeba #8823997 by Aiji, translation #6003952 by mailohilohi
- L'abolition de l'esclavage fut un moment clé dans l'histoire de l'humanité.The abolition of slavery was a key moment in human history.
- Les femmes ont longtemps été victimes de l'asservissement.Women have long been victims of slavery.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a history documentary.
- LéaCe film traite de l'esclavage.This film deals with slavery.
- NathanC'est un sujet très difficile.It is a very difficult subject.
- LéaOui, mais il est important.Yes, but it is important.
- NathanTu as raison, Léa.You are right, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slavery” translations and entries esclavage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esclavage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
