soleil
/sɔ.lɛj/masculine
The French word for sunshine is soleil. Wiktionary also lists lumière du soleil.
Meaning: direct rays of the sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| soleil | /sɔ.lɛj/ /so.lɛj/ |
masculine |
| lumière du soleil | feminine |
In French, soleil is the standard word for the sun, but it is also the most common way to refer to sunshine in a general sense. For example, to say 'It is sunny', you would say Il y a du soleil.
What does it mean word for word?
The idiomatic expression for a person who is 'my sunshine' is rayon de soleil, which literally means 'ray of sun'.
Which one should you use?
While soleil is the standard word for 'sun', it is also the most common way to refer to 'sunshine' in a general sense (e.g., Il y a du soleil means 'It is sunny'). The phrase lumière du soleil is a feminine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
soleil is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɔ.lɛj/ (two syllables)
Did you know?
- The phrase coup de soleil describes a sunburn, literally meaning a 'blow of the sun'.
- The French word soleil actually evolved from a Latin diminutive meaning 'little sun'.
- In French, the sun is often used as a metaphor for a central figure of power, reflecting the historical title of King Louis XIV, the 'Sun King'.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, mon beau soleil.Hello, sunshine.This sentence shows how to use soleil as a term of endearment.Tatoeba #9025651 by Micsmithel, translation #8885169 by soliloquist
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil.You are my sunshine.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic expression for a person who is 'my sunshine' using soleil.Tatoeba #483314 by sacredceltic, translation #63216 by papabear
- Ici, nous avons du soleil.We've got sunshine here.This sentence shows how to use soleil to indicate sunny weather.Tatoeba #6055924 by christian63, translation #12506750 by sundown
- Les rayons de soleil dansent sur la merThe sunbeams dance on the sea
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are sitting on a park bench.
- HugoIl y a beaucoup de soleil aujourd'hui.There is a lot of sunshine today.
- EmmaOui, j'adore sentir le soleil sur ma peau.Yes, I love feeling the sunshine on my skin.
- HugoLe soleil est très fort cet après-midi.The sunshine is very strong this afternoon.
- EmmaMets ta crème, Hugo, pour ne pas brûler.Put on your cream, Hugo, so you don't burn.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunshine” translations and entries soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, lumière, soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
