baignoire
/bɛ.ɲwaʁ/
The French word for tub is baignoire.
While baignoire literally translates to 'tub', it is almost exclusively used to refer to a bathtub in a domestic setting.
Meaning: broad, flat-bottomed vessel (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /bɛ.ɲwaʁ/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In French slang, the word baignoire is sometimes used to describe a car that is old, slow or unstable, as if it were a floating tub.
- Unlike English speakers who might use 'tub' for a large cooking pot or a garden container, a French person would use cuve or bac for those items. Using baignoire in these contexts would imply you are cooking in a bathtub.
- In French, the word baignoire refers only to the tub itself, while the act of taking a bath is called un bain. You do not take a baignoire, you take a bain in a baignoire.
Examples in context
- La baignoire est pleine.The tub is full.This sentence is useful for describing the state of the baignoire.Tatoeba #1106830 by sacredceltic, translation #9005448 by Adelpa
- J'ai rempli la baignoire.I filled the tub.This sentence is useful for describing the action of filling the baignoire.Tatoeba #11241778 by lbdx, translation #9495929 by DJ_Saidez
- Il n'y a pas d'eau dans la baignoire.There's no water in the tub.This sentence is useful for noting the absence of water in the baignoire.Tatoeba #9005516 by Adelpa, translation #4012250 by CK
- Je préfère prendre un bain dans la baignoire.I prefer taking a bath in the tub.
- Je vous prie de m'excuser, j'ai renversé de l'eau dans le bain.I apologize, I spilled water in the tub.
- Je me relaxe toujours dans ma baignoire.I always relax in the tub.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are discussing home renovations.
- EmmaOn devrait changer la baignoire.We should change the bathtub.
- LucasPourquoi ? Elle est encore bien.Why? It is still fine.
- EmmaLa baignoire est trop petite pour moi.The bathtub is too small for me.
- LucasD'accord, on cherchera un nouveau modèle.Okay, we will look for a new model.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baignoire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
