chanson
/ʃɑ̃.sɔ̃/feminine
The French word for song is chanson.
A chanson refers to music with words. The term chanson française is often used specifically to refer to the genre of traditional French lyric songwriting.
Meaning: music with words (noun)
Which one should you use?
While chanson is the standard term, you may encounter other words depending on the context. In classical music or more formal settings, you might use air to refer to a particular melody or piece of music. For a more formal way to say a piece or a track, you can use morceau.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun chanson is feminine, so you use the indefinite article une to say une chanson (a song).
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɑ̃.sɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The phrase chanson de geste refers to epic poems sung by medieval minstrels that detailed the heroic deeds of historical or legendary figures.
- The word chanson shares a common ancestor with the English word 'chant', both tracing back to the Latin 'cantio'.
- In French, if you refer to a musical piece as a morceau, you are literally calling it a 'piece' or a 'scrap' of music.
Examples in context
- Je joue une chanson.I'm playing a song.This sentence shows how to use chanson when talking about playing a song.Tatoeba #10707972 by AutoBot, translation #10707966 by vxern
- Chantons une chanson !Let us sing a song.This sentence uses chanson in an exhortation to sing a song.Tatoeba #937404 by sacredceltic, translation #23921 by CK
- Rejoue cette chanson !Play that song again.This sentence shows how to use chanson when asking to replay a song.Tatoeba #2061654 by sacredceltic, translation #1860609 by CK
- J'adore cette chanson romantiqueI love this romantic song
- Écoute ce morceau, il est incroyableListen to this song, it's amazing
- Je vais interpréter cet air célèbre lors du concertI will perform this famous song during the concert
- Je connais une super chanson, veux-tu l'écouter?I know a great song, do you want to listen to it?
- Tu as écouté le dernier morceau de ton groupe préféré?Have you listened to the latest song from your favorite band?
- C'est quoi ton titre préféré en ce moment?What is your favorite song right now?
- Cette chanson me donne toujours la chair de pouleThis song always gives me goosebumps
- J'ai écouté tous les morceaux de cet album, mais celui-ci est mon préféréI've listened to all the songs from this album, but this one is my favorite
- 417 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are in a car listening to the radio.
- LéaCette chanson est magnifique.This song is beautiful.
- HugoJe l'adore aussi.I love it too.
- LéaTu connais la chanson ?Do you know the song?
- HugoOui, je la connais bien.Yes, I know it well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “song” translations and entries chanson, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chanson, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
