pneu
/pnø/masculine
The French word for tyre is pneu. Wiktionary also lists pneumatique.
Meaning: wheel covering (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pneu | /pnø/ /pə.ˈnø/ |
masculine |
| pneumatique | /pnø.ma.tik/ | masculine |
The term refers to a wheel covering. To describe a tyre that is punctured or flat, you use the adjective crevé, such as in the phrase un pneu crevé.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pneu is a shortened form of the word pneumatique.
Which one should you use?
While pneumatique is the full technical term, pneu is the standard word used in everyday conversation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pnø/
Did you know?
- The adjective crevé used for a flat tyre is also a common slang term meaning 'exhausted' or 'dead tired' when describing a person.
- The word pneu shares a common root with the English word 'pneumonia', as both relate to the concept of 'air' or 'breath'.
- The word pneumatique was historically used in France to describe a type of tube-based postal system that shot letters through pipes using air pressure.
Examples in context
- Gonflez le pneu !Pump up the tyre.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to pump up a pneu.Tatoeba #3570834 by sacredceltic, translation #11444214 by sundown
- Ce pneu est crevé.This tyre is punctured.This sentence is useful for describing a pneu that is punctured.Tatoeba #3636893 by sacredceltic, translation #3636616 by MTC
- J'ai un pneu à plat.I have a flat tyre.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a flat pneu.Tatoeba #7057160 by Aiji, translation #10119593 by sundown
- Je dois changer les pneus de ma voitureI need to change the tires on my car
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking at Nathan's car in the driveway.
- LéaNathan, ton pneu semble très vieux.Nathan, your tyre looks very old.
- NathanOui, je dois en acheter un nouveau.Yes, I need to buy a new one.
- LéaTu devrais vérifier ce pneu rapidement.You should check this tyre quickly.
- NathanTu as raison, je vais le faire.You're right, I'll do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tyre” translations and entries pneu, pneumatique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pneu, pneumatique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
