How to Say “Turtle” in French

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tortue
/tɔʁ.ty/feminine
The French word for "turtle" is tortue.
tortue refers to a land or marine reptile with a shell.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)

Related words

Flip over onto the back or top, to turn upside down (verb): capoter, se renverser, faire un tonneau.

Hunt turtles (verb): chasser.

How does it change in a sentence?

The plural of tortue is tortues.

How do you pronounce it?

/tɔʁ.ty/. It has 2 syllables.

Did you know?

  • The word tortue is actually an etymological way of saying 'dweller of Tartarus', referring to the underworld of Greek mythology.
  • The French language uses the phrase à pas de tortue to describe a pace that is agonizingly slow.
  • French differentiates between a tortue and a tortue marine to specify whether the animal lives on land or in the sea.

Examples in context

  • La tortue est morte.
    The turtle died.
    This sentence shows the use of tortue to describe a deceased animal.
    Tatoeba #6837433 by GB3, translation #6466702 by Eccles17
  • La tortue aime beaucoup la salade.
    The turtle really likes salad.
    This sentence shows the use of tortue regarding an animal's food preference.
    Tatoeba #12208093 by Rovo, translation #12208266 by Miktsoanit
  • La tortue est aussi lente que l'escargot.
    The turtle is as slow as the snail.
    This sentence shows the use of tortue in a comparison of speed.
    Tatoeba #9794912 by Gib, translation #7295946 by MessDjaaf
  • Les tortues sont des reptiles fascinants.
    Turtles are fascinating reptiles.
  • J'ai adopté une tortue d'eau pour mon aquarium.
    I have adopted a water turtle for my aquarium.
  • La tortue de terre se cache souvent dans sa carapace.
    The land turtle often hides in its shell.
  • Mon meilleur ami a une petite tortue appelée Titine.
    My best friend has a small turtle named Titine.
  • 19 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

At a local pet shop.

  1. Hugo

    Est-ce que cette tortue est fragile ?
    Is this turtle fragile?
  2. Manon

    Non, la tortue est très robuste.
    No, the turtle is very robust.
  3. Hugo

    Elle est parfaite pour Manon.
    It is perfect for Manon.
  4. Manon

    Oui, Hugo, elle va l'adorer.
    Yes, Hugo, she will love it.

Sources

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Mia Darlene
Mia DarleneHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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