French word

roue

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁu/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwheel

Example

La roue tourne.

The wheel turns.

Illustration for roue (wheel)

More examples

La roue du vélo est cassée.

The bicycle wheel is broken.

Core concept

A spinning circular part connects an axle with the movement of a vehicle or machine.

Common phrases

  • faire tourner la roue

    turn the wheel

  • une roue de vélo

    a bicycle wheel

  • la roue du chariot

    the cart wheel

Similar words

pneu: The rubber outer section that touches the ground and absorbs shocks while traveling.
volant: A round device turned by the driver to steer a vehicle.
frein: A device used to reduce speed or bring a vehicle or bicycle to a stop.

Definition in French

Pièce circulaire qui tourne autour d'un axe et permet de faire avancer un véhicule ou de transmettre un mouvement.

Word origin

The French noun roue continues Latin rota through Old French, preserving the ancient sense of a wheel.

Usage tips

  • Roue de secours means 'spare wheel', while roue dentée means 'gear'; dentée is an adjective agreeing with feminine roue.

Related words

  • roulerrollverb
  • roulementrotationnoun

Word lists with this word