French word

aspirateur

Pronunciation

IPA/aspiʁatœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounvacuum cleaner

Example

L'aspirateur ne marche plus.

The vacuum cleaner doesn't work anymore.

Illustration for aspirateur (vacuum cleaner)

More examples

On doit passer l'aspirateur avant l'arrivée des invités.

We have to vacuum before the guests arrive.

Core concept

A motor-driven machine that pulls air, dust, and loose dirt from floors and other surfaces into a container.

Common phrases

  • passer l'aspirateur

    vacuum

  • brancher l'aspirateur

    plug in the vacuum cleaner

  • vérifier l'aspirateur

    check the vacuum cleaner

Similar words

balai: A long-handled cleaning tool with bristles for sweeping up floor dirt.
robot aspirateur: A small self-driving vacuum that automatically collects dirt from floors.
nettoyeur: A general term for equipment or tools used to remove dirt.

Definition in French

Appareil électroménager qui, grâce à un moteur et à un système d'aspiration, enlève la poussière et les saletés des sols et autres surfaces.

Word origin

Aspirateur derives from French aspirer with the agentive suffix -ateur, from Latin aspirare, forming a noun for a device that draws in air and dirt.

Usage tips

  • The usual household expression is passer l'aspirateur, while aspirer alone means to suck or draw in more generally.

Related words

Word lists with this word