How to Say “Steering Wheel” in French

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volant
/vɔ.lɑ̃/masculine
The English phrase "steering wheel" is translated into French as volant.
volant is a masculine noun used to describe the wheel-shaped control used to steer a vehicle. It is also used in the idiomatic phrase au volant, which means "at the wheel" or "driving".
Meaning: wheel-shaped control (noun)

Which one should you use?

Use volant specifically for the steering wheel of a vehicle. Do not use it to refer to a general wheel, such as a bicycle wheel or a car wheel, which is called roue.

How do you pronounce it?

The word has two syllables and is pronounced /vɔ.lɑ̃/.

Did you know?

  • In French, the word volant is also the term for a shuttlecock used in badminton.
  • In the world of fashion, a volant refers to a flounce or a ruffled strip of fabric sewn onto a garment.
  • The word volant is derived from the French verb voler, meaning 'to fly'.

Examples in context

  • Une voiture a un volant.
    A car has one steering wheel.
    This sentence shows a basic use of volant to state that a car possesses one.
    Tatoeba #350244 by Barbiche0, translation #265465 by CM
  • Une bagnole a un volant.
    A car has a steering wheel.
    This sentence uses a more colloquial term for car to demonstrate the use of volant.
    Tatoeba #1718037 by Micsmithel, translation #2353449 by AlanF_US
  • Une jeune fille était au volant.
    A young girl was at the steering wheel.
    This sentence illustrates the idiomatic use of volant to describe someone who is driving.
    Tatoeba #128296 by Julien_PDC, translation #265752 by CM
  • Je dois tourner le volant à gauche.
    I have to turn the steering wheel to the left.
  • Le volant de ma voiture est en cuir.
    The steering wheel of my car is made of leather.
  • Le volant de direction est un élément essentiel pour bien contrôler le véhicule.
    The steering wheel is an essential element for controlling the vehicle properly.
  • 5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Chloé and Gabriel are inside a car.

  1. Chloé

    Le volant est très léger dans cette voiture.
    The steering wheel is very light in this car.
  2. Gabriel

    Oui, c'est très agréable pour conduire.
    Yes, it's very pleasant for driving.
  3. Chloé

    Est-ce que je peux tenir le volant ?
    Can I hold the steering wheel?
  4. Gabriel

    Bien sûr, Chloé, tiens-le fermement.
    Of course, Chloé, hold it firmly.

Sources

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Lola Edith
Lola EdithHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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