tigre
/tiɡʁ/masculine
The English word tiger is translated into French as tigre. Wiktionary also lists tigresse.
Meaning: The mammal Panthera tigris (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tigre | /tiɡʁ/ | masculine |
| tigresse | /ti.ɡʁɛs/ | feminine |
The term refers to the mammal Panthera tigris.
Which one should you use?
Use tigre to refer to a male tiger or to the species in general. Use tigresse specifically when referring to a female tiger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of tigre is tigresse, which is used to denote a female tiger.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɡʁ/
Did you know?
- The word tigre shares a common ancestor with the Greek word tigris, which is also the name of a major river in the Middle East.
- French uses the term œil de tigre to refer to the gemstone tiger's eye, but it also describes a focused and determined gaze in sports.
- While tigre is the standard term, in certain French-speaking regions, the word tigre can be used colloquially to describe a person who is particularly energetic or even a bit of a rogue.
Examples in context
- Le tigre fut tué.The tiger was killed.Tatoeba #2031713 by sacredceltic, translation #777592 by CM
- Tout doux, le tigre.Easy, tiger.Tatoeba #9025549 by Micsmithel, translation #8658098 by Hybrid
- Ce n'est pas un tigre.That is not a tiger.Tatoeba #711290 by chtof, translation #67094 by CK
- Le tigre est sauvage.The tiger is wild.
- Les tigres sont beaux.Tigers are beautiful.
- J'admire la force du tigre.I admire the strength of the tiger.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are looking at a nature documentary.
- NathanRegarde ce beau tigre !Look at that beautiful tiger!
- ManonOui, il est impressionnant.Yes, it is impressive.
- NathanLe tigre est mon animal préféré.The tiger is my favorite animal.
- ManonNathan, il est vraiment majestueux.Nathan, it is truly majestic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tiger” translations and entries tigre, tigresse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tigre, tigresse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
