cascade
/kas.kad/feminine
The English word waterfall is translated into French as cascade or chute d'eau.
Meaning: flow of water over the edge of a cliff (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cascade | /kas.kad/ | feminine |
| chute d'eau | /ʃyt d‿o/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a flow of water over the edge of a cliff. Cascade is typically used for smaller, more decorative or multi-tiered flows of water, whereas chute d'eau is a more general term that can describe a more powerful flow.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase chute d'eau is a literal construction where chute means fall and eau means water.
Which one should you use?
While both mean waterfall, cascade often implies a smaller or more tiered flow of water, while chute d'eau is used for more general or powerful falls.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase chute d'eau, the noun chute is pluralized to make the phrase plural (as in chutes d'eau), while eau remains singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/kas.kad/
Did you know?
- While cascade describes a waterfall, it is also used in French to describe a stunt performed by a cascadeur in a movie.
- In a technical or aviation context, the word chute is also the French word for a 'parachute'.
- In French, you can use the word chute to describe a 'fall' in other contexts, such as a 'chute de cheveux', which means 'hair loss'.
Examples in context
- Je pense que ce sentier mène à la cascade.I think this trail leads to the waterfall.This sentence is useful for describing a path leading to a cascade.Tatoeba #13227469 by lbdx, translation #11980596 by shekitten
- J'ai vu un homme se tenir nu sous la cascade.I saw a man standing naked under the waterfall.This sentence is useful for describing someone standing under a cascade.Tatoeba #11707827 by lbdx, translation #276808 by CK
- Tom et Mary ont pique-niqué près de la cascade.Tom and Mary had a picnic by the waterfall.This sentence is useful for describing a picnic near a cascade.Tatoeba #4065653 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4065079 by Hybrid
- J'adore observer les belles cascades pendant mes randonnées en montagne.I love observing beautiful waterfalls during my mountain hikes.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are hiking in the mountains.
- ChloéRegarde cette magnifique cascade, Lucas !Look at this magnificent waterfall, Lucas!
- LucasOui, elle est impressionnante.Yes, it is impressive.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu veux t'approcher de la cascade ?Do you want to go closer to the waterfall?
- LucasNon, je préfère rester ici.No, I prefer to stay here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waterfall” translations and entries cascade, chute d'eau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
