escalier
/ɛs.ka.lje/masculine
The English word 'stairs' is translated into French as escalier.
escalier refers to a contiguous set of steps.
Meaning: contiguous set of steps (noun)
Which one should you use?
While escalier can mean 'stairs', it more specifically refers to the entire staircase or the structure of the stairwell.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word escalier can be used in both singular and plural forms to refer to a set of stairs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ɛs.ka.lje/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- French has a specific term escalier en colimaçon for a spiral staircase, which literally translates to 'snail staircase'.
- The word escalier is a distant relative of the English word 'scale', as both descend from the same Latin root meaning 'ladder'.
- In many French buildings, the term escalier de service refers to a specific set of stairs intended for staff or service use rather than guests.
Examples in context
- Il a monté les escaliers.He ascended the stairs.Tatoeba #9889553 by lbdx, translation #294720 by CM
- Tu as monté des escaliers.You went up the stairs.Tatoeba #4176466 by Amastan, translation #10495917 by DJ_Saidez
- Tom monta vite l'escalier.Tom quickly went up the stairs.Tatoeba #6880105 by felix63, translation #3473886 by CK
- Excusez-moi, où est l'escalier pour aller aux étages supérieurs s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, where is the staircase to go to the upper floors, please?
- Suivez l'escalier jusqu'à la sortie.Follow the stairs until you reach the exit.
- Prends l'escalier de service en cas d'urgence.Take the service stairs in case of an emergency.
- Ces meubles sont trop lourds pour l'escalier de service .These furniture pieces are too heavy for the backstairs.
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are entering a house.
- NathanOù est l'escalier pour monter ?Where are the stairs to go up?
- EmmaL'escalier est juste derrière toi, Nathan.The stairs are right behind you, Nathan.
- NathanAh oui, je le vois maintenant.Ah yes, I see them now.
- EmmaMontons l'escalier ensemble.Let's go up the stairs together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stairs” translations and entries escalier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escalier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
