États-Unis d'Amérique
/e.ta.z‿y.ni d‿a.me.ʁik/masculine, plural
The English phrase 'united states of america' is translated into French as États-Unis d'Amérique. Wiktionary also lists États-Unis and Amérique.
Meaning: country in North America (name)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| États-Unis d'Amérique | /e.ta.z‿y.ni d‿a.me.ʁik/ (Europe) /e.tɑ.z‿y.ni d‿a.me.ʁɪk/ (Canada) |
masculine, plural |
| États-Unis | /e.ta.z‿y.ni/ (Europe) /e.tɑ.z‿ʏ.ni/ (Canada) |
masculine, plural |
| Amérique | /a.me.ʁik/ (Europe) /a.me.ʁɪk/ (Quebec) |
feminine |
The term refers to the country in North America.
Which one should you use?
While États-Unis d'Amérique is the full formal name, États-Unis is the much more common way to refer to the country in everyday speech and writing. Additionally, Amérique is a feminine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the name is plural, you must use the contraction of the preposition à and the plural article les (à + les = aux) when saying 'to the' or 'in the' United States. To say 'of the United States', you use the contraction of de and les (de + les = des).
How do you pronounce it?
/e.ta.z‿y.ni d‿a.me.ʁik/ (6 syllables)
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'America' to mean the 'United States', a French speaker using Amérique is often referring to the entire landmass of North and South America.
- Because États-Unis is plural, French speakers use the plural verb form even though the 'United States' is a single country.
- The term États-Unis is a direct 'calque', meaning it was translated word-for-word from the English name to create a French equivalent.
Examples in context
- Où est la capitale des États-Unis ?Where is the capital of the United States of America?This sentence is useful for asking about the capital of the États-Unis.Tatoeba #8548085 by Aiji, translation #3931096 by AlanF_US
- Il est né aux États-Unis d'Amérique.He was born in the United States of America.This sentence is useful for stating someone was born in the États-Unis d'Amérique.Tatoeba #12470369 by lbdx, translation #2565510 by Hybrid
- Elle veut se rendre aux États-Unis d'Amérique.She wants to go to the United States of America.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to travel to the États-Unis d'Amérique.Tatoeba #588242 by sacredceltic, translation #6812546 by Eccles17
- Les États-Unis d'Amérique sont un pays puissant.The United States of America is a powerful country.
- Les États-Unis sont engagés dans des négociations internationales.The United States is engaged in international negotiations.
- J'ai toujours voulu visiter les States.I have always wanted to visit the States.
- Tu as déjà vécu aux US ?Have you ever lived in the US?
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing a world geography project.
- ManonLequel est le plus grand, le Canada ou les États-Unis d'Amérique ?Which one is larger, Canada or the United States of America?
- HugoJe pense que c'est les États-Unis d'Amérique.I think it is the United States of America.
- ManonTu devrais vérifier sur la carte, Hugo.You should check on the map, Hugo.
- HugoTu as raison, Manon, je vais regarder.You are right, Manon, I will look.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “united states of america” translations and entries États-Unis d'Amérique, États-Unis, Amérique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Amérique, États-Unis, États-Unis d'Amérique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
