montre
/mɔ̃tʁ/feminine
The French word for a watch is montre.
The noun montre refers specifically to a wearable timepiece, such as a wristwatch.
Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the noun and the action. While montre is the object, the French verb regarder is used for the action of watching something, such as a movie or a person. For verbs related to guarding or being vigilant, you would use surveiller, veiller or être vigilant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec French, the word cadran may be used to refer to the face of the watch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun montre is feminine. Consequently, you must use the feminine articles une or la (e.g., une montre) rather than the masculine un or le.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ̃tʁ/
Did you know?
- In old French, montre was used to describe a public exhibition or a display of troops for inspection, long before it ever referred to a timepiece.
- The word montre shares its root with the English word 'monitor'. Both come from the Latin 'monstrare' meaning 'to show'.
- While montre is the standard term, a pocket watch is specifically called une montre à gousset. The word gousset refers to the pocket in a waistcoat where it was traditionally kept.
Examples in context
- Tu as une montre.You have a watch.This sentence shows how to state that someone possesses a montre.Tatoeba #7136204 by Micsmithel, translation #68849 by CM
- Où est ta montre ?Where's your watch?This sentence is used to ask about the location of a montre.Tatoeba #6330271 by felix63, translation #1230587 by alec
- As-tu vu ma montre ?Have you seen my watch?This sentence is used to ask if someone has seen a montre.Tatoeba #3587693 by sacredceltic, translation #2149118 by Hybrid
- J'ai acheté une belle montre suisseI bought a beautiful Swiss watch
- Regarde ma nouvelle montreLook at my new watch
- J'ai un bracelet sympa sur ma montre-braceletI have a nice strap on my wristwatch
- Je porte toujours ma montre au poignetI always wear my watch on my wrist
- La montre est en argentThe watch is made of silver
- 305 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are at home looking for a lost item.
- LéaNathan, tu as vu ma montre ?Nathan, have you seen my watch?
- NathanNon, je n'ai pas vu ta montre.No, I haven't seen your watch.
- LéaElle est peut-être sur la table.It might be on the table.
- NathanAh, oui, voici ta montre !Ah, yes, here is your watch!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “watch” translations and entries montre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
