siffler
/si.fle/
The French word for 'whistle' is siffler.
siffler is used to describe the action of producing a whistling sound. When you use the phrase siffler quelqu'un, it can mean whistling at someone to get their attention, but it is also used colloquially to mean hissing at or booing someone to express disapproval.
Meaning: device used to make a whistling sound (noun)
Which one should you use?
While siffler is the verb meaning 'to whistle', if you want to refer to the physical object used to make the sound, you should use the noun un sifflet. If you want to refer to a single blast or the sound of a whistle being blown, such as a referee's signal, use the phrase un coup de sifflet.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /si.fle/.
Did you know?
- In French sports culture, the verb siffler describes a crowd booing a performer or athlete, which is a sound more like a hiss than a musical whistle.
- The word siffler is actually a linguistic hybrid that likely stems from a blend of Latin and an older Osco-Umbrian dialectal influence.
Examples in context
- Je ne sais pas siffler.I cannot whistle.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to perform the action of whistling with siffler.Tatoeba #1728197 by sacredceltic, translation #1728194 by Amastan
- Il commença à siffler un air.He began to whistle a tune.This sentence is useful for describing the action of whistling a tune with siffler.Tatoeba #131432 by Micsmithel, translation #293042 by CK
- J'ai entendu quelqu'un siffler.I heard someone whistle.This sentence is useful for describing hearing someone perform the action of whistling with siffler.Tatoeba #129203 by sacredceltic, translation #276147 by CK
- Pendant le discours, le président a été interrompu par un sifflement.During the speech, the president was interrupted by a whistle.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry siffler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siffler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
