poubelle
/pu.bɛl/
The French word for trash is poubelle.
In English, 'trash' can refer to the waste itself or the container. In French, poubelle more strictly refers to the container, such as a trash can or a bin.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of poubelle is poubelles.
How do you pronounce it?
/pu.bɛl/
When do people say it?
While poubelle refers to the bin, you may encounter the informal word bordel to describe a mess, chaos or a place that is extremely disorganized and full of trash.
Did you know?
- The word poubelle is actually a person's name. It comes from Eugène Poubelle, a Paris official who made it mandatory for households to have specific waste containers in 1884.
- In France, the 'poubelle' is often part of a strict color-coded system. Using the wrong colored bin for your trash can result in fines from the municipal authorities.
- The phrase mettre à la poubelle is used metaphorically in French to describe discarding an idea or a project.
Examples in context
- La poubelle est vide.The trash can is empty.This sentence shows how to describe the state of the poubelle.Tatoeba #8313185 by Julien_PDC, translation #10819672 by ddnktr
- J'ai vidé la poubelle.I've emptied the trash.This sentence illustrates the action of emptying the poubelle.Tatoeba #6893579 by Aiji, translation #5916631 by CK
- Jette-le à la poubelle.Toss it into the trash.This sentence is useful for instructing someone to toss something into the poubelle.Tatoeba #10863941 by lbdx, translation #5923953 by mailohilohi
- Je vais jeter les déchets.I'm going to throw away the trash.
- N'oublie pas de mettre les ordures dehors.Don't forget to take out the trash.
- La poubelle est pleine.The trash bin is full.
- Ne laisse pas traîner tous ces déchets partout.Don't leave all this trash lying around.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are cleaning up the kitchen.
- LucasOù est la poubelle ?Where is the trash can?
- EmmaElle est sous l'évier.It is under the sink.
- LucasPeux-tu mettre ça dans la poubelle ?Can you put this in the trash?
- EmmaOui, je m'en occupe.Yes, I will take care of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry poubelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poubelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
