escargot
/ɛs.kaʁ.ɡo/masculine
The English word snail is translated into French as escargot. Wiktionary also lists limaçon.
Meaning: any animal of the class Gastropoda having a shell (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escargot | /ɛs.kaʁ.ɡo/ | masculine |
| limaçon | /li.ma.sɔ̃/ |
Both escargot and limaçon refer to any animal of the class Gastropoda that possesses a shell.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of escargot, add an s to get escargots. Similarly, the plural of limaçon is formed by adding an s to get limaçons.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /ɛs.kaʁ.ɡo/.
Did you know?
- The word escargot has an unexpected and earthy connection to the Occitan word cagaròl, which is related to the verb for 'to defecate'.
- The word limaçon is also used in mathematics to describe a specific type of curve known as a limacon, which is shaped like a loop.
- The term limace is the root for limaçon, but in French, limace specifically refers to a slug, an animal that lacks a shell.
Examples in context
- Vois-tu cet escargot dans l'eau ?Do you see that snail in the water?This sentence is useful for identifying an escargot in the water.Tatoeba #8354486 by zarisi, translation #6130493 by mailohilohi
- Attention ! Tu marches sur un escargot.Careful! You're stepping on a snail.This sentence is useful for warning someone that they are stepping on an escargot.Tatoeba #6061958 by christian63, translation #6302490 by Gulliver
- La tortue est aussi lente que l'escargot.The turtle is as slow as the snail.This sentence is useful for comparing the speed of a turtle to an escargot.Tatoeba #9794912 by Gib, translation #7295946 by MessDjaaf
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are looking at the garden plants.
- HugoRegarde cet escargot, Emma !Look at this snail, Emma!
- EmmaIl est très mignon, Hugo.He is very cute, Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce qu'il est rapide ?Is he fast?
- EmmaNon, il est très lent.No, he is very slow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snail” translations and entries escargot, limaçon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escargot, limaçon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
