arme
/aʁm/feminine
The English word "weapon" is arme in French.
arme refers to an instrument of attack or defense in combat. You can use the specific term arme à feu to refer to a firearm.
Meaning: instrument of attack or defense in combat (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun arme is feminine, meaning any accompanying articles or adjectives must be in the feminine form. For example, you use the indefinite article une to say "a weapon" (une arme). Because arme begins with a vowel, the definite article undergoes elision, becoming l'arme instead of la arme.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʁm/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly treat arme as a masculine noun, but it is strictly feminine.
Did you know?
- In French law, there is a distinction between armes blanches (bladed weapons like knives) and armes à feu (firearms).
- The word arme is actually a plural form that is used as a singular noun. It stems from the Latin plural arma, which originally referred to 'arms' or a collection of equipment.
- In heraldry, the French word armes refers to a family's coat of arms, which served as a visual 'weapon' of identity in battle.
Examples in context
- Jette ton arme !Throw out your weapon!This sentence is useful for practicing the command to throw out your arme.Tatoeba #8304790 by Micsmithel, translation #2206831 by sergewa
- Où est ton arme ?Where's your weapon?This sentence is useful for asking where a arme is.Tatoeba #4736682 by lovasoa, translation #2254693 by CK
- Choisis une arme !Pick a weapon.This sentence is useful for the command to pick a arme.Tatoeba #4625969 by sacredceltic, translation #2249762 by CK
- Il est armé d'une arme à feu.He is armed with a firearm.
- La police a trouvé une arme sur les lieux du crime.The police found a weapon at the crime scene.
- Il a sorti son flingue pour se défendre.He pulled out his gun to defend himself.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are playing a video game together.
- LucasPrends cette arme, elle est plus puissante.Take this weapon, it is more powerful.
- LéaMerci, Lucas. Je cherche encore une meilleure arme.Thanks, Lucas. I am still looking for a better weapon.
- LucasRegarde, il y a une arme sur la table.Look, there is a weapon on the table.
- LéaElle est parfaite pour moi !It is perfect for me!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weapon” translations and entries arme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
