tournesol
/tuʁ.nə.sɔl/masculine
The English word sunflower is tournesol in French.
tournesol is a masculine noun. It is used when describing products derived from the plant, such as graines de tournesol (sunflower seeds) or huile de tournesol (sunflower oil). You can also describe large groups of these flowers using phrases like un champ de tournesols or une étendue de tournesols, both of which mean a field of sunflowers.
Meaning: flower (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word tournesol is a compound of the verb tourner (to turn) and soleil (sun).
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of tournesol, add an s to get tournesols.
How do you pronounce it?
/tuʁ.nə.sɔl/, 3 syllables
Did you know?
- In French, the word tournesol is also used to describe a type of litmus paper used to test whether a liquid is an acid or a base.
- The word tournesol is not originally French but was borrowed from the Italian word tornasole.
- In French poetry, the tournesol is often used as a symbol of unconditional love or unwavering devotion, mirroring how the flower follows the sun.
Examples in context
- J'aime manger des graines de tournesols.I like cracking sunflower seeds.This sentence shows how to use the word tournesol when talking about eating seeds.Tatoeba #800294 by sysko, translation #800261 by FeuDRenais2
- Ils mangent des graines de tournesol en jouant aux cartes.They eat sunflower seeds while playing cards.This sentence demonstrates the use of tournesol in the context of eating seeds while playing cards.Tatoeba #380620 by sysko, translation #5978207 by Adelpa
- Fais attention quand tu transportes de l'huile de tournesol.Be careful when carrying sunflower oil.This sentence illustrates the use of tournesol when referring to sunflower oil.Tatoeba #8532989 by Aiji, translation #8484565 by AlanF_US
- J'adore les tournesols, leur couleur jaune vif égaye n'importe quel jardin.I love sunflowers, their bright yellow color livens up any garden.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are walking through a field in the summer.
- LéaRegarde ce magnifique tournesol, Lucas.Look at this magnificent sunflower, Lucas.
- LucasOui, il est vraiment grand.Yes, it is truly tall.
- LéaJe veux en planter dans mon jardin.I want to plant some in my garden.
- LucasCe sera une très bonne idée.That will be a very good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunflower” translations and entries tournesol, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tournesol, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
