écriture
/e.kʁi.tyʁ/feminine
The French word for writing is écriture.
écriture is a feminine noun used to describe the process of representing a language, a specific style of writing or a system of writing. While it refers to the act or the system itself, note that calligraphie is used for calligraphy and manuscrit is used for a manuscript.
Meaning: process of representing a language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun écriture is derived from the verb écrire, which means to write.
Which one should you use?
Use écriture when discussing a system, a style or the physical act of writing. Do not confuse it with écrivain, which refers to the person (a writer) or texte, which refers to the written product itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form écritures is used specifically when you are referring to multiple distinct systems of writing or different types of scripts.
Did you know?
- While écriture describes the style, a French person might describe a very messy hand as une écriture de cochon, literally 'pig writing'.
- The term écritures in the plural is frequently used in a religious context to refer to the Holy Scriptures.
- The word écriture shares a common ancestor with the English word 'scripture', as both stem from the Latin 'scrīptūra'.
Examples in context
- Il vit de son écriture.He earns his living by writing.This sentence shows how someone earns a living through their écriture.Tatoeba #1468748 by sacredceltic, translation #435292 by CK
- Tom est bon en écriture.Tom is good at writing.This sentence illustrates someone being skilled in écriture.Tatoeba #4200152 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4198394 by CK
- Elle a un talent d'écriture.She has writing talent.This sentence describes someone possessing a talent for écriture.Tatoeba #4759225 by sacredceltic, translation #3752945 by cromwellt
- Je suis en train de perfectionner mon écriture.I'm working on improving my writing.
- J'ai terminé la rédaction de mon article.I've finished writing my article.
- J'aime écrire des histoires.I enjoy writing stories.
- As-tu lu son dernier écrit ?Have you read their latest piece of writing?
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a calligraphy workshop.
- LéaL'écriture cursive est très élégante.Cursive writing is very elegant.
- NathanC'est vrai, mais c'est difficile à apprendre.It is true, but it is difficult to learn.
- LéaNathan, tu veux essayer cette écriture ?Nathan, do you want to try this writing style?
- NathanNon merci, je préfère l'écriture moderne.No thanks, I prefer modern writing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “writing” translations and entries écriture, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries écriture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
