fil
/fil/
The English word 'wire' is translated into French as fil.
fil refers to a metal conductor that carries electricity. However, it is a polysemous word, meaning it can also refer to a thread used for sewing or a string or cord.
Meaning: metal conductor that carries electricity (noun)
Which one should you use?
While fil is the general term for a wire, thread or string, you can use the phrase fil de fer specifically to describe an iron wire or a more rigid metal wire.
How does it change in a sentence?
fil is a masculine noun and is used with the masculine articles un or le. To form the plural, add an s to the end to get fils.
How do you pronounce it?
/fil/
Did you know?
- The word fil is a homograph of the word for 'son', fils. While they are spelled similarly in the plural, they are distinguished by pronunciation in the singular.
- The phrase être sur le fil describes someone who is in a precarious situation or on the verge of a breakdown, similar to the English expression 'hanging by a thread'.
- In French, the word for a news feed or a live ticker is le fil d'actualité, treating the flow of digital information as a continuous thread.
Examples in context
- Coupe le fil rouge.Cut the red wire.This sentence is useful for learning how to use fil in an imperative command.Tatoeba #7108323 by Micsmithel, translation #3818511 by CK
- Ne coupe pas ce fil.Don't cut that wire.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use fil in a negative command.Tatoeba #7108362 by Micsmithel, translation #4850070 by CK
- Le fil peut se rompre.The wire can break.This sentence is useful for describing a potential action involving fil.Tatoeba #13449534 by sacredceltic, translation #13450322 by rul
- Les techniciens ont installé des câbles électriques dans tout le bâtiment.The technicians installed electrical wires throughout the building.
- J'ai effectué un virement bancaire pour régler la facture.I made a wire transfer to pay the bill.
- Il m'a demandé de lui faire un transfert d'argent via PayPal.He asked me to wire him some money through PayPal.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are fixing a broken lamp in the living room.
- LucasIl faut remplacer ce fil.We need to replace this wire.
- ManonEst-ce que le fil est trop court ?Is the wire too short?
- LucasNon, il est juste endommagé.No, it is just damaged.
- ManonJe vais chercher un nouveau fil.I am going to look for a new wire.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
