French word

pneu

Pronunciation

IPA/pnø/

Meaning

  • masculine nountire

Example

Le pneu est crevé.

The tire is flat.

Illustration for pneu (tire)

More examples

Je dois changer un pneu ce matin.

I have to change a tire this morning.

Core concept

An inflated rubber ring forms the moving cushion and grip between a vehicle's wheel and the road.

Common phrases

  • pneu crevé

    flat tire

  • changer un pneu

    change a tire

Similar words

roue: The complete rotating wheel that supports a vehicle and carries the tire.
pneumatique: The outer rubber tire fitted to a car or bicycle.

Definition in French

Organe en caoutchouc, généralement rempli d'air, posé sur la jante et garantissant le contact entre la roue et la chaussée.

Word origin

French pneu is a shortening of pneumatique, from Greek pneuma, meaning breath or air, and originally referring to an air-filled tire.

Usage tips

  • Pneu is masculine, so the usual form is un pneu, while roue refers to the whole wheel rather than its rubber tire.

Related words

  • pneumatiquepneumaticadjective

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