char de combat
/ʃaʁ də kɔ̃.ba/masculine
In French, the English phrase "tank" is translated as char de combat. Wiktionary also lists tank and char d'assaut.
Meaning: armoured fighting vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| char de combat | /ʃaʁ də kɔ̃.ba/ | masculine |
| tank | /tɑ̃k/ /taŋk/ |
masculine |
| char d'assaut | /ʃaʁ d‿a.so/ | masculine |
| blindé | /blɛ̃.de/ | masculine |
These terms refer to an armoured fighting vehicle.
What does it mean word for word?
The term char de combat literally translates to "fighting vehicle" (char = vehicle/chariot, combat = fighting).
Which one should you use?
char de combat is the formal, technical term used in military contexts. char d'assaut means "assault tank". blindé is a broader term that refers to any armoured vehicle, not just a tank.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms listed are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃaʁ də kɔ̃.ba/
Did you know?
- While char means 'tank' in a military context, it also refers to a 'float' in a carnival parade. The same word is used for both a weapon of war and a festive decoration.
- The word blindé is also used as a slang adjective to describe someone who is very wealthy or a place that is overcrowded.
- The French word char is a linguistic relative of the English word 'car'. Both descend from the Latin 'carrus', which was originally borrowed from the Gaulish language.
Examples in context
- « Septics », c'est, en anglais, une rime argotique signifiant « Américains » : « septic tank, Yank [fosse septique, Yank(ee)] »."Septics" is rhyming slang, meaning "Americans": "septic tank, Yank".This sentence is useful for showing how the word tank appears in the English rhyming slang phrase "septic tank".Tatoeba #13081995 by Rovo, translation #13081774 by morbrorper
- Les chars d'assaut ont joué un rôle décisif pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.Tanks played a decisive role during World War I.
- Les blindés modernes sont dotés de technologies avancées.Modern tanks are equipped with advanced technologies.
- L'armée a récemment acquis de nouveaux véhicules de combat très performants.The army recently acquired highly performing combat vehicles.
- Regarde, ils ont utilisé le tank dans le dernier film de guerre.Look, they used the tank in the latest war movie.
- L'armée sénégalaise possède des tanks pour assurer la défense nationale.The Senegalese army has tanks to ensure national defense.
- Le char de combat avance lentement.The battle tank advances slowly.
- Ils ont déployé un nouveau char de combat.They deployed a new battle tank.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are visiting a military museum.
- HugoRegarde ce vieux char de combat !Look at that old tank!
- ChloéIl est vraiment immense, Hugo.It is really huge, Hugo.
- HugoC'est un char de combat très puissant.It is a very powerful tank.
- ChloéJe veux prendre une photo.I want to take a photo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tank” translations and entries char de combat, tank, char d'assaut, blindé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries char, combat, de, tank, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
