French word

rat

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁa/

Meaning

  • masculine nounrat

Example

Il y a un rat dans la cuisine.

There is a rat in the kitchen.

Illustration for rat (rat)

More examples

Des rats ont rongé les câbles.

Rats have gnawed the cables.

Core concept

A familiar city-dwelling rodent recognized by its powerful gnawing incisors.

Common phrases

  • des rats dans la maison

    rats in the house

  • un rat de compagnie

    pet rat

Similar words

souris: A tiny mouse commonly found inside or near houses.
vermine: Animals or insects considered harmful or troublesome to people or property.

Definition in French

Animal rongeur omniprésent, souvent associé aux habitations humaines et aux milieux urbains, caractérisé par des incisives puissantes.

Word origin

French rat derives from Old French rat and ultimately from Latin rattus, but the earliest source of rattus is not known with certainty.

Usage tips

  • Applied to a person, rat is insulting and can suggest someone mean or contemptible rather than an animal.

Word lists with this word