flocon de neige
masculine
The English phrase "snowflake" is translated into French as flocon de neige.
flocon de neige refers to a single crystal of snow.
Meaning: crystal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of flocon (flake) and de neige (of snow).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, use flocons de neige. Only the word flocon takes an s to become plural. The neige part remains singular because it describes the substance of the flakes.
Did you know?
- While 'snowflake' is often used as a modern English slang term for a sensitive person, flocon de neige is almost never used this way in France. Using it as an insult would likely leave a French speaker confused.
- French uses flocon to describe more than just snow. It is the standard word for 'flake' in cooking, such as flocons d'avoine for rolled oats.
- The word flocon comes from the Latin word floccus, which described a tuft of wool or a lock of hair. This reveals that the French imagined snow as soft, woolly clumps rather than geometric crystals.
Examples in context
- Chaque flocon de neige est unique.Every snowflake is unique.This sentence is useful for describing the uniqueness of every flocon de neige.Tatoeba #8825184 by lbdx, translation #4855603 by Hybrid
- Un flocon de neige se posa sur son nez.A snowflake landed on his nose.This sentence shows how a flocon de neige might land on a person.Tatoeba #13206865 by lbdx, translation #11730110 by Nuel
- Elle a confectionné un flocon de neige en papier.She made a paper snowflake.This sentence illustrates how someone can create a paper version of a flocon de neige.Tatoeba #4765098 by sacredceltic, translation #2324070 by Hybrid
- Lorsque la température baisse, les flocons de neige tombent doucement du ciel.When the temperature drops, the snowflakes fall gently from the sky.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking out the window at a snowstorm.
- HugoRegarde ce gros flocon de neige sur la vitre.Look at that big snowflake on the window pane.
- ManonIl est magnifique, Hugo.It is beautiful, Hugo.
- HugoIl y a un flocon de neige de plus sur mon gant.There is one more snowflake on my glove.
- ManonIl tombe beaucoup de neige aujourd'hui.It is snowing a lot today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowflake” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, flocon, neige, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
