code postal
/kɔd pɔs.tal/
The English phrase "zip code" is translated into French as code postal.
While "zip code" is a term specific to the United States, code postal is the standard French term used to refer to postal codes in the US or any other country.
Meaning: US postal code (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "postal code", where code means "code" and postal means "postal".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, the term for zip code is code postal. In French-speaking regions of Canada, Le code postal is used predominantly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is used with the definite article le to form le code postal (the zip code). The plural form of code postal is les codes postaux.
Did you know?
- In France, it is common for people to identify someone's social status or wealth simply by knowing the first few digits of their code postal.
- In Canada, the French term code postal is followed by an alphanumeric sequence like H3Z 2Y7, unlike the purely numeric codes used in France.
- The word poste in code postal shares its origin with the English 'post', both coming from the Latin 'posita' which refers to a station or a fixed place.
Examples in context
- N'oublie pas d'écrire le code postal !Don't forget to write the zip code.This sentence is useful for reminding someone to write the code postal.Tatoeba #4217872 by sacredceltic, translation #4198352 by CK
- Pourriez-vous me dire le code postal de New York ?Can you tell me what the zip code is for New York?This sentence is useful for asking for the code postal of a specific location.Tatoeba #136228 by ANH_DAO, translation #35909 by cromwellt
- Dans le monde d'aujourd'hui, nous devons doter tous nos enfants d'une éducation qui les prépare au succès, quelle que soit leur apparence, ou le revenu de leurs parents, ou le code postal où ils vivent.In today's world, we have to equip all our kids with an education that prepares them for success, regardless of what they look like, or how much their parents make, or the zip code that they live in.Tatoeba #3924541 by Josh, translation #3924477 by BHO
- Le code postal est 75001.The zip code is 75001.
- Excusez-moi, quel est le code postal de cette région ?Excuse me, what is the zip code for this area?
- Mon code postal est 69002.My zip code is 69002.
- Il y a deux codes postaux dans cette ville, le premier est 1000 et l'autre est 2000.There are two zip codes in this city, the first one is 1000 and the other one is 2000.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is filling out an online form and asks Nathan for help.
- LéaQuel est le code postal de cette adresse ?What is the zip code for this address?
- NathanC'est 90210.It is 90210.
- LéaMerci, j'ai enfin le code postal.Thanks, I finally have the zip code.
- NathanDe rien, Léa.You're welcome, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry code postal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries postal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
