mot
/mo/masculine
The English word "word" is translated into French as mot.
mot is a masculine noun used to refer to a specific linguistic unit or a single word within a sentence. If you are referring to profanity or swear words, you can use the phrase gros mot. Related terms include Parole and Verbe, which can refer to the Creative word of God (as a name) and the verb formuler, which means to say or write using particular words.
Meaning: unit of language (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use mot when you mean a specific linguistic unit. In contrast, parole refers to the act of speaking or the spoken word itself.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
mot is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/mo/
Did you know?
- The French word mot comes from the Late Latin muttum, which described the sound of muttering. This means the word for 'word' began as an onomatopoeia for a muffled noise.
- In French, a short handwritten note or a brief message is called un mot, treating the entire message as if it were a single 'word'.
- In French, if you want to say something is 'to the letter', you might say au mot près, emphasizing the exactness of the specific linguistic unit used.
Examples in context
- Pas un mot !Don't say a word.This example shows how to use mot to tell someone to be silent.Tatoeba #3671161 by sacredceltic, translation #2270529 by CK
- Quel gros mot !What a cuss word!This example shows how to use mot to identify a swear word.Tatoeba #1157481 by sacredceltic, translation #1740293 by belgavox
- Exclus ce mot !Leave out this word.This example shows how to use mot to request the exclusion of a specific word.Tatoeba #1676930 by sacredceltic, translation #57957 by CK
- 695 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are studying for a French test together.
- LéaQuel est ce mot ?What is this word?
- NathanC'est un mot difficile, Léa.It is a difficult word, Léa.
- LéaJe ne connais pas ce mot.I do not know this word.
- NathanJe vais t'expliquer le mot.I am going to explain the word to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “word” translations and entries mot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
