boule de neige
/bul də nɛʒ/feminine
The English phrase snowball is translated into French as boule de neige. Wiktionary also lists balle de neige.
Meaning: ball of snow (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boule de neige | /bul də nɛʒ/ | feminine |
| balle de neige | Quebec, feminine |
The term is used to refer to a ball made of snow.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of boule (ball), de (of) and neige (snow).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, balle de neige is a common regional variation for a snowball.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both boule de neige and balle de neige are feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word boule has a surprising connection to the Romani word bul, which refers to the buttocks.
- In a culinary context, a boule is a specific round shape of sourdough bread common in French bakeries.
- While boule de neige refers to the object, the term effet boule de neige is used in French to describe a 'snowball effect' where a small event causes a massive chain reaction.
Examples in context
- Il m'a lancé une boule de neige.He threw a snowball at me.This sentence shows how to use boule de neige when someone is throwing a snowball.Tatoeba #12029991 by lbdx, translation #9718349 by ariarin
- Une petite boule de neige peut déclencher une avalanche.A small snowball is capable of starting an avalanche.This sentence demonstrates how boule de neige can be the subject of a sentence regarding an avalanche.Tatoeba #8165601 by Gaeiie, translation #1077670 by keira_n
- Il a fait une boule de neige et l'a lancée sur elle.He made a snowball and threw it at her.This sentence illustrates using boule de neige in the context of making and throwing a snowball.Tatoeba #12456729 by lbdx, translation #8516452 by CH
- J'ai reçu une boulette de neige dans le dosI got a snowball in the back
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are playing in the snow.
- ChloéRegarde ma boule de neige !Look at my snowball!
- LucasElle est vraiment énorme, Chloé.It is really huge, Chloé.
- ChloéJe vais te lancer cette boule de neige.I am going to throw this snowball at you.
- LucasVite, je dois m'abriter !Quick, I have to take cover!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowball” translations and entries boule de neige, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balle, boule, de, neige, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
