soleil
/sɔ.lɛj/masculine
The English word "sun" is translated into French as soleil.
Meaning: the star around which the Earth revolves (name)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| soleil | /sɔ.lɛj/ /so.lɛj/ |
masculine |
| Soleil | /sɔ.lɛj/ | masculine |
soleil refers to the star around which the Earth revolves. It can also refer more broadly to a star that serves as the center of any single solar system.
Which one should you use?
For a more formal or poetic tone, you may use the phrase astre solaire to refer to the sun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
soleil is a masculine noun. It is almost always used with the definite article le, forming le soleil. The related adjective is solaire, which means "solar".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /sɔ.lɛj/.
Did you know?
- In French, un coup de soleil refers to a sunburn rather than a sudden flash of light.
- The term soleil can be used in French fashion to refer to a specific style of pleated skirt, known as a jupe soleil because the fabric fans out like sunbeams.
- The word soleil is a diminutive form, originating from the Vulgar Latin sōliculus which essentially means 'little sun'.
Examples in context
- Le soleil se lève.The sun is coming up.This sentence shows how to use soleil to describe the sun rising.Tatoeba #332414 by TRANG, translation #275070 by CK
- Où est le soleil ?Where is the sun?This sentence uses soleil to ask about the location of the sun.Tatoeba #3628068 by fleur74, translation #3997922 by Jesse
- Le soleil est rouge.The sun is red.This sentence uses soleil to describe the color of the sun.Tatoeba #1013111 by sacredceltic, translation #477369 by BlueLagoon
- Le soleil se lève à l'est.The sun rises in the east.
- Le plein soleil est nécessaire pour les plantes.Full sun is necessary for plants.
- L'astre solaire brille avec éclat.The solar orb shines brightly.
- L'astre du jour se fait attendre aujourd'hui.The celestial body of the day is taking its time today.
- 448 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are talking about the weather outside.
- ChloéRegarde, le soleil brille enfin !Look, the sun is finally shining!
- GabrielC'est vrai, il fait très beau.It's true, the weather is very nice.
- ChloéOn devrait sortir au soleil.We should go out in the sun.
- GabrielBonne idée, allons au parc.Good idea, let's go to the park.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sun” translations and entries soleil, Soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Soleil, soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
