traîneau
The French word for sleigh is traîneau.
A traîneau is a vehicle with runners, generally at least somewhat large and pulled by an animal.
Meaning: vehicle with runners, generally at least somewhat large and pulled by an animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb traîner, which means 'to drag' or 'to pull'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of traîneau is traîneaux.
Did you know?
- French speakers distinguish between a traîneau pulled by animals and a traîneau à voile, which is a sail-sled used on frozen lakes.
- The word traîneau shares a linguistic root with the French word for 'train' (train), as both involve the act of pulling a load.
- The verb traîner also means 'to hang around' or 'to loiter' in modern slang, creating a humorous mental link between a slow-moving traîneau and someone wasting time.
Examples in context
- Des rennes tirent le traîneau du Père Noël.Reindeer pull Santa's sleigh.This sentence shows reindeer pulling a traîneau.Tatoeba #9489707 by Micsmithel, translation #7697536 by Hybrid
- Le traîneau glissait rapidement sur la glace.The sleigh glided swiftly over the ice.This sentence describes a traîneau gliding over ice.Tatoeba #9024495 by lbdx, translation #2254603 by _undertoad
- Mon traîneau est blanc.My sleigh is white.This sentence describes the color of a traîneau.Tatoeba #3693691 by mervert1, translation #2730928 by Hybrid
- Viens, on fait une descente en traîneau !Come on, let's go sledding!
- J'ai passé la journée à construire un traîneau pour mes petits cousins.I spent the day building a sleigh for my younger cousins.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking at a display in a shop window.
- LéaRegarde ce joli traîneau en bois.Look at this pretty wooden sleigh.
- NathanIl est magnifique, mais très grand.It is magnificent, but very large.
- LéaEst-ce qu'on peut monter dans le traîneau ?Can we get into the sleigh?
- NathanNon, c'est seulement pour la décoration.No, it is only for decoration.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
