eau
/o/feminine
The English word "water" is eau in French.
eau is a feminine noun used to refer to the inorganic compound H₂O. When specifically referring to drinking water, you can use the phrase eau potable and for tap water, use eau du robinet.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While eau is the standard term, you may encounter the informal term flotte used to mean water.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Southern France, aigo is used as an informal way to say water.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because eau begins with a vowel, certain articles contract when used with it. The definite article la contracts to l'eau to mean "the water". When expressing an unspecified amount, the partitive article de la contracts to de l'eau to mean "some water".
How do you pronounce it?
/o/
Did you know?
- While eau is used for the liquid, French uses the word eau in the term eau-de-vie, which literally means 'water of life' but refers to strong clear spirits.
- France has a cultural tradition of requesting une carafe d'eau at restaurants, which provides tap water for free.
- The word eau is part of the expression c'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase, which means 'the last straw'.
Examples in context
- Bois de l'eau !Drink some water.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of eau to mean "some water".Tatoeba #3645567 by sacredceltic, translation #2245408 by CK
- Sors de l'eau !Get out of the water.Tatoeba #4550795 by sacredceltic, translation #2886573 by CK
- Qui a bu l'eau ?Who drank the water?Tatoeba #8039259 by theachaean, translation #10181761 by ddnktr
- Je voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.I would like a glass of water, please.
- On peut boire l'eau du robinet ici ?Can we drink the tap water here?
- 1537 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are at a restaurant.
- EmmaJe voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.I would like a glass of water, please.
- LucasTu veux de l'eau gazeuse ou plate ?Do you want sparkling or still water?
- EmmaDe l'eau plate pour moi, merci.Still water for me, thanks.
- LucasD'accord, je commande l'eau tout de suite.Okay, I'll order the water right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries eau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
