T-shirt
/ti.ʃœʁt/masculine
The English phrase t-shirt is translated into French as T-shirt. If unsure, use T-shirt. Wiktionary also lists tee-shirt and ticheurte.
Meaning: type of shirt (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt | /ti.ʃœʁt/ | masculine |
| tee-shirt | /ti.ʃɛʁt/ /ti.ʃœʁt/ |
masculine |
| t-shirt | masculine | |
| ticheurte | /ti.ʃœʁt/ | colloquial, masculine |
| chandail | /ʃɑ̃.daj/ | Quebec, masculine |
| maillot de corps manche courte | masculine | |
| tricot de corps manche courte | masculine | |
| maillot | /ma.jo/ | masculine |
A t-shirt is a type of shirt. The most common term used across France and other French-speaking countries is T-shirt.
Which one should you use?
While maillot can refer to a t-shirt in certain contexts, it more specifically refers to a sports jersey or a swimsuit/tank top.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term ticheurte is a highly informal, slangy phonetic transcription of T-shirt used in certain spoken contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the word chandail is commonly used to refer to various types of tops, including t-shirts and sweaters, whereas in France it typically refers to a sweater.
How does it change in a sentence?
T-shirt is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine indefinite article un (un T-shirt).
How do you pronounce it?
/ti.ʃœʁt/
Did you know?
- Historically, the term maillot de corps refers to an undergarment, meaning that calling a t-shirt a maillot de corps in public might imply you are wearing your underwear as outer clothing.
- Because it is a direct loanword, the pronunciation of T-shirt in French often shifts the stress to the end of the word, unlike the English pronunciation.
- The spelling tee-shirt is a common French variation that follows the phonetic spelling of the English pronunciation rather than the standard English spelling.
Examples in context
- Je vais mettre mon t-shirt noir préféré aujourd'hui.I'm going to wear my favorite black t-shirt today.
- Il a acheté un maillot de l'équipe nationale.He bought a national team jersey/t-shirt.
- J'ai besoin de nouveaux tee-shirts pour l'été.I need new t-shirts for the summer.
- Il porte un T-shirt blanc.He is wearing a white T-shirt.
- J'ai besoin d'un nouveau T-shirt.I need a new T-shirt.
- Ce T-shirt est très confortable.This T-shirt is very comfortable.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are shopping for clothes.
- HugoRegarde ce T-shirt bleu, Chloé !Look at this blue T-shirt, Chloé!
- ChloéIl est super, Hugo.It is great, Hugo.
- HugoJe vais l'acheter.I am going to buy it.
- ChloéC'est un bon choix.That is a good choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “t-shirt” translations and entries T-shirt, tee-shirt, t-shirt, ticheurte, chandail, maillot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries T-shirt, tee-shirt, ticheurte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
