Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| distributeur automatique | masculine | |
| distributeur | /dis.tʁi.by.tœʁ/ | masculine |
| distributrice | /dis.tʁi.by.tʁis/ | Canada, Louisiana, New England, feminine |
A vending machine is a machine that dispenses merchandise. You can be more specific about what the machine provides by adding the item type: distributeur de boissons or distributeur automatique de boissons refers to a drink vending machine, while distributeur de snacks refers to a machine for snacks or small food items.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase distributeur automatique literally translates to automatic distributor.
Which one should you use?
distributeur automatique is the full, formal name of the machine, while distributeur is a common shortened version used to refer to the same object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, Louisiana and New England, the feminine form distributrice is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default forms distributeur automatique and distributeur are masculine nouns, whereas the regional form distributrice is feminine.
Did you know?
- French speakers often use the term distributeur as a shorthand for distributeur automatique de billets, which specifically means an ATM.
- In France, if a machine is broken, you might see a sign saying en panne, rather than using a word for 'broken' that refers to the machine's physical structure.
- In France, the abbreviation DAB stands for distributeur automatique de billets and is the standard way to label an ATM on a map.
Examples in context
- Le distributeur est en panne.This vending machine is out of order.This sentence shows how to use distributeur to say a machine is out of order.Tatoeba #641299 by qdii, translation #58868 by CK
- Le distributeur est hors service.The vending machine is out of order.Tatoeba #11166816 by lbdx, translation #5301741 by mailohilohi
- Ce distributeur automatique est hors-service.That vending machine is out of order.Tatoeba #7236828 by Aiji, translation #2623933 by CK
- Le distributeur automatique est situé près de l'entrée principale.The vending machine is located near the main entrance.
- J'ai trouvé des chips dans le distributeur.I found some chips in the vending machine.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are looking for a snack at the station.
- LucasOù se trouve le distributeur automatique ?Where is the vending machine?
- LéaIl est juste là, à côté du café.It is right there, next to the café.
- LucasMerci, j'ai très faim.Thanks, I am very hungry.
- LéaMoi aussi, Léa veut un sandwich !Me too, Léa wants a sandwich!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vending machine” translations and entries distributeur, distributrice, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
