pantalon
/pɑ̃.ta.lɔ̃/
The French word for trousers is pantalon.
pantalon is a masculine noun used to refer to the garment known as trousers.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers treat the word as a plural, pantalon refers to the garment itself in the singular. For example, un pantalon is used for a single pair of trousers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike in English, the French word for trousers is singular. It takes a singular verb and singular adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɑ̃.ta.lɔ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the plural form pantalons in French, but the standard word is singular.
Did you know?
- The word pantalon is actually a character's name. It comes from 'Pantalone', a famous clown in Italian way of theatre, known for his baggy trousers.
- While pantalon is the standard term, French speakers often use the slang word frocs to refer to trousers in very informal settings.
- In old French traditions, the transition to the pantalon replaced the culotte, which were knee-breeches worn with stockings.
Examples in context
- Ôte ton pantalon !Take off your trousers.This sentence is useful for the imperative command to take off your pantalon.Tatoeba #10061370 by sacredceltic, translation #7427879 by deniko
- Je mis mon pantalon.I put on my trousers.This sentence is useful for describing the action of putting on your pantalon.Tatoeba #1315034 by sacredceltic, translation #254041 by CK
- Ce pantalon est sale.These trousers are dirty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a pantalon being dirty.Tatoeba #4197161 by olivier, translation #60955 by CK
- Je porte un pantalon noir.I am wearing black trousers.
- Il a acheté un beau pantalon en soie.He bought a beautiful pair of silk trousers.
- Elle a besoin d'un pantalon pour l'événement.She needs trousers for the event.
- Je préfère porter un jean.I prefer wearing jeans.
- J'aime porter des pantacourts en été.I like wearing capris in the summer.
- Je vais acheter des pantalons neufs.I am going to buy new trousers.
- Ces jeans sont trop chers.These jeans are too expensive.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are shopping for clothes in a boutique.
- ManonTu aimes ce pantalon ?Do you like these trousers?
- NathanNon, je préfère ton autre pantalon.No, I prefer your other trousers.
- ManonCelui-ci est un peu trop long.These are a little too long.
- NathanOn peut trouver un pantalon plus court.We can find shorter trousers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pantalon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pantalon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
