Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| super-héros | /sy.pɛ.ʁe.ʁo/ /sy.pe.ʁe.ʁo/ |
masculine |
| superhéros | /sy.pɛ.ʁe.ʁo/ /sy.pe.ʁe.ʁo/ |
masculine, alternative form |
The term refers to a fictional crime-fighting character with superpowers. While super-héros is the standard term for a male superhero or can be used in a gender-neutral sense, you can also use the phrase le justicier masqué to mean 'the masked vigilante' or 'the masked crime-fighter'. For example, you might describe someone as un super-héros puissant (a powerful superhero) or une super-héroïne puissante (a powerful superheroine).
Which one should you use?
super-héros is the standard spelling, while superhéros is an alternative spelling of the same word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word super-héros is invariable in the plural. The form remains the same when referring to multiple people, such as in les super-héros. To refer specifically to a female superhero, use the feminine form super-héroïne.
How do you pronounce it?
/sy.pɛ.ʁe.ʁo/
Did you know?
- The word héros comes from the Greek hērōs, and in French, it is one of the few words that keeps its final 's' in the singular form.
- In France, the word super is frequently used as a standalone adjective meaning 'great' or 'wonderful', which can make super-héros sound like a 'wonderful hero' to a casual listener.
- In French comics, the term super-héros is often associated with le comics américain, whereas French-made heroes are sometimes categorized under bande dessinée with different tropes.
Examples in context
- Il n'est pas un super-héros.He is not some superhero.This sentence shows how to use the negative form of super-héros.Tatoeba #3499392 by Aiji, translation #3499349 by neron
- Je veux devenir un super-héros.I want to turn into a superhero.This sentence shows the desire to become a super-héros.Tatoeba #8537649 by Aiji, translation #7704423 by AlanF_US
- Quel est ton super-héros préféré ?Who's your favourite superhero?This sentence is used to ask about a favorite super-héros.Tatoeba #1352950 by sacredceltic, translation #12223744 by sundown
- Les superhéros les plus populaires sont souvent ceux des bandes dessinées.The most popular superheroes are often those from comic books.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing a new movie.
- ChloéCe film parle d'un nouveau super-héros.This movie is about a new superhero.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il peut voler ?Can he fly?
- ChloéOui, c'est un super-héros très puissant.Yes, he is a very powerful superhero.
- NathanJ'ai hâte de le voir !I can't wait to see it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “superhero” translations and entries super-héros, superhéros, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
