French Building and Renovation Jargon Guide
The words you need to know in French - and their English equivalents when engaged in building or renovating a property in France...
The most common French building terms can be often found in the dictionary. However, even quite large French-English dictionaries - being aimed more at students of literature, can miss out even pretty mainstream terms.
Here's a list (listed alphabetically in English) to get you started, whether you're renovating your own place in France or trying to communicate with a local builder.
English | French | Type |
---|---|---|
air vent | trou d'aération or conduit d'aération | nm |
alarm bell | sonnerie d’alarme | nf |
angle grinder | meuleuse | nf |
arch | voûte | nf |
architect | architect | nm |
architrave | baguette | nf |
asbestos | amiante | nm |
awl | poinçon | nm |
axe | hache | nf |
B | ||
bandsaw | see "saw" below | |
base | assise | nf |
batten | latte | nf |
beam | poutre | nf |
bearer | support | nm |
belt sander | ponceuse a bande | nf |
bevel | biseau | nm |
bitumen | bitume | nm |
blade | lame | nf |
blow lamp | chalumeau | nm |
boiler | chaudière | nf |
bolt | boulon | nm |
bore | vriller | vt |
bore hole | trou de sondage | nm |
bow/bay window | oriel | nf |
brace | vilebrequin | nm |
bracket | tasseau | nm |
bradawl | poinçon | nm |
brick | brique | nf |
brush (paint) | pinceau | nm |
building | bâtiment | nm |
building site | chantier | nm |
C | ||
casement window | fenêtre à battants | nf |
ceiling | plafond | nm |
cement | ciment | nm |
cesspool | fosse d’aisance | nf |
chimney-sweep | ramoneur | nm |
chipboard | panneau de particules | |
clay roof tile | tuile terre cuite | nf |
concrete | béton | nm |
cork tile | carreau de liège | nm |
countersink | fraise | nf |
crack | fissure | nf |
cupboard (built in) | placard | nm |
custom made | fait sur commande | adj |
cut out | découper | nm |
D | ||
damp | humidité | nf |
damp proof course | couche isolante | nf |
day-work | travail à la journée | nm |
de-humidifier | déshumidificateur | nm |
delay | delai | nm |
delivery | livraison | nf |
discount | escompte | nm |
DIY | bricolage | nm |
door handle | poignée de porte | nf |
door knob | bouton de porte | nm |
dormer window | lucarne | nf |
double glazing | double vitrage | nf |
downpipe | tuyau de descente | nm |
drain | vidange | nf |
draught-excluder | bourrelet | nm |
dry-rot | carie sèche | nf |
duct | conduit | nm |
E | ||
eaves | avant-toit | nmpl |
estimate | devis | nm |
F | ||
false ceiling | faux plafond | nf |
fanlight | imposte | nf |
fence | clôture | nf |
fencing wire mesh | grillage | nm |
fibre glass (insulation) | laine de verre | nf |
fire extinguisher | extincteur | nm |
fire-guard | garde-feu | nm |
fire proof | ininflammable | adj |
firewood | bois de chauffage | nm |
first floor | premier étage | nm |
fit out | aménager | vt |
fix | pose | vt |
fixed price | prix fixe | nm |
flammable | inflammable | adj |
flashing | un revêtement de zinc (nm) / noue | nf |
floor | plancher | nm |
floorboard | planche | nf |
flue | conduit de cheminée | nf |
flush (toilet) | chasse d’eau | nf |
foundations | fouille | nf |
frame (door or window) | chambranle | nm |
freeze up | se prendre en glace | vt |
french window | porte-fenêtre | nf |
frost stat | thermostat a gel | nm |
fuel gauge | jauge fuel | nf |
fuse | fusible | nm |
fuse box | coupe-circuit | nm |
G | ||
gable end | pignon | nm |
general company | entreprise générale | |
glass cutter | diamant | nm |
glass door | porte vitrée | nf |
gloss (paint) | brillant | adj |
ground floor | rez de chaussée | nm |
gutter roof | gouttière | nf |
H | ||
hacksaw | scie à métaux | nf |
hammer | marteau | nm |
handle | poignée | nf |
handrail | main courante | nf |
handyman | bricoleur | nm |
hard water | eau dure | nf |
hardboard | carton-cuire | nm |
hardcore (rubble) | blocaille | nf |
hardware (building) | quincaillerie | nf |
hardwood (red) | bois exotique | nm |
headroom | hauteur libre | nf |
hedge | haie | nf |
hinge | gond | nm |
hire | location | nf |
hose-pipe | tuyau d’arrosage | nm |
hot plate (hob) | plaque chauffante | nf |
I | ||
immersion heater | cumulus électrique | nm |
(more commonly) | ballon | nm |
in stock | disponible | adj |
invoice | facture | nf |
iron (material) | fer | nm |
iron (cast) | fonte | nf |
ironmongery | quincaillerie | nf |
J | ||
jig saw | scie sauteuse | nf |
joinery | menuiserie | nf |
joist | solive | nf |
junction box (electrical) | boite de dérivation | nf |
K | ||
keyhole | trou de serrure | nm |
L | ||
ladder | échelle | nf |
lag | envelopper | vt |
lampholder | douille | nf |
lampshade | abat-jour | nm |
landing | palier | nm |
latch | loquet | nm |
lawn | pelouse | nf |
lawn-mower | tondeuse | nf |
leak | fuite | nm |
lean-to | appentis | nm |
lease | bail | nm |
letter box | boite aux lettres | nf |
level | à niveau | nm |
level (tool) | niveau | nm |
(not) level | bancal | adj |
lever | levier | nm |
light bulb | ampoule | nf |
lighting | éclairage | nm |
lime | chaux | nf |
linseed oil (bats!) | huile de lin | nf |
lintel | linteau | nm |
lock | serrure | nf |
M | ||
mains (sewers) | tout a l’égout | nm |
mains (water) | eau de la ville | nf |
maintenance | l’entretien | nm |
manhole | trou de visite | nm |
manhole cover | plaque d'égout or regard | |
masonry paint | peinture crépi | nf |
meter (elec or water etc) | compteur | nm |
methylated spirit | alcool a brûler | nm |
mildew | moisissure | nf |
mortar | mortier | nm |
mould | moisi | nm |
mouse | souris | nf |
mouse-trap | tapette | nf |
mullion | meneau | nm |
N | ||
nail | clou | nm |
non-slip | antidérapant | adj |
notch | entaille | nf |
O | ||
off-peak (electric) | heures creuses | adj |
overflow (an) | tuyau d'écoulement | nm |
overflow (to) | déborder | vi |
overhang | surplomb | nm |
P | ||
padlock | cadenas | nm |
partition wall | cloison | nf |
party wall | mur mitoyen | nm |
patio | terrasse | nf |
paving | dallage | nm |
paving stone | pavé | nm |
pelmet | lambrequin | nm |
pickaxe | pioche | nf |
pipe | tuyau | nm |
pipeline | canalisation | nf |
pipeline gas | canalisation de gaz or tuyau de gaz | |
pipeline oil | canalisation de fuel or tuyau de fuel | |
pipeline water | conduite d'eau | |
plan(s) | plan | nm |
plane | rabot | nm |
plank | planche | nf |
plaster | nm | |
plaster block | carreau de plâtre | nm |
plasterboard | placoplâtre | nm |
pliers | pinces | nfpl |
plug (electric) | fiche | nf |
plumb-line | fil à plomb | nm |
plumbing | plomberie | nf |
plywood | contre-plaque | nm |
point (brickwork) | jointoyer | vt |
porch | porche | nm |
post (fence) | poteau | nm |
preservative | agent de conservation | nm |
price list | tarif | nm |
prime (wood) | apprêter | vt |
project manager | maitre d'oeuvre | |
prop | support | nm |
putty | mastic | nm |
Q | ||
quote | fixer un prix | vt |
R | ||
rafter | chevron | nm |
rawlplug | cheville | nf |
receipt | reçu | nm |
recess | recoin | nm |
reinforced concrete | béton arme | nm |
removal | déménagement | nm |
render | enduit | nm |
repair | réparation | nf |
residence | demeure | nf |
restoration | restauration | nf |
restore | restaurer | vt |
ridge | faîte | nm |
rising damp | infiltration | nf |
rockery | jardin de rocaille | nm |
roof | toit | nm |
roof truss | armature à toit | nf |
roofing felt | feutre a toit | nm |
room | pièce | nf |
rope | corde | nf |
rot | pourriture | nf |
rough sketch | ébauche | nf |
router | défonceuse | nf |
rubbish (building) | détritus | nm |
rubble | gravats | nmpl |
rust | rouille | nf |
S | ||
sand | sable | nm |
sand paper | papier de verre | nm |
sandblast | sablager | vt |
sander | ponceuse | nf |
saw | scie | nf |
saw: bandsaw | scie à ruban | |
saw: circular saw | scie circulaire | |
saw: fretsaw | scie à chantourner/découper | |
saw: panel saw | scie à guichet | |
scaffold | échafaudage | nm |
screed | chape | nf |
screw | vis | nf |
screw to | visser | vt |
screwdriver | tournevis | nm |
semi-detached | jumelée | adj |
septic tank | fosse septique | nf |
service hatch | passe-plat | nm |
set-square | équerre à dessin | nf |
sewage | eaux d’égout | nfpl |
sewer | égout | nm |
sharp | tranchant | adj |
shelf | étagère | nf |
shingle (roofing) | bardeau | nm |
shore up | étayer | vt |
short-circuit | court-circuit | nm |
shovel | pelle | nf |
shower tray | bac de douche | nm |
shutter | volet | nm |
shutter (slatted) | persienne | nf |
sill (door) | seuil | nm |
sink (kitchen) | évier | nm |
sink (bathroom) | lavabo | nm |
skip | benne | nf |
skirting board | plinthe | nf |
slate | ardoise | nf |
sliding door | porte coulissante | nf |
soak away | puits perdu | nm |
socket (mechanics) | douille | nf |
socket (electric) | prise | nf |
soil pipe | tuyau d’égout | nm |
solder | soudure | nf |
supplies, provision or stock | réserves | |
sound proof | insonore | adj |
spiral staircase | escalier spiral | nm |
spirit level | niveau à bulle | nm |
split level | jumeau duplex | nm |
spotlight | projecteur | nm |
spray gun | pistolet | nm |
spring (water) | source | nf |
square meter | mètre carré | nm |
stable (horse) | écurie | nf |
stainless steel | inox | nm |
staple | agrafe | nf |
steel | acier | nm |
step ladder | escabeau | nm |
stone | pierre | nf |
stop cock | robinet de fermeture | nm |
storey | étage | nm |
subsidence | affaissement | nm |
supplier | fournisseur | nm |
swing door | porte va et vient | nf |
switch(one way) | interrupteur | nm |
switch(two way) | interrupteur va et vient | nm |
T | ||
tank (heating oil) | réservoir de fioul | nm |
tank (water) | citerne | nf |
tap | robinet | nm |
tar | goudron | nm |
tarpaulin | bâche | nf |
tenon saw | scie à tenon | nf |
temporary support (Accro) | etais | |
thatch | chaume | nm |
tile (floor) | carreau | nm |
tile (wall) | faïence | nf |
tile (roof) | tuile | nf |
time-switch | minuterie | nf |
transom | traverse | nf |
trellis-work | treillage | nm |
trowel | truelle | nf |
U | ||
unblock | dégager | vt |
under floor heating | chauffage sous-sol | nm |
undercoat | sous-couche | nf |
unfurnished | non meublé | adj |
uninhabited | inhabité | adj |
V | ||
valve | soupape nf/ robinet | nm |
valve: check valve | robinet non retour | nm |
valve: ball valve | boisseau sphérique | nm |
VAT | TVA | nm |
Veneer | placage | nm |
W | ||
wall | mur | nm |
wall thickness | épaisseur de la paroi | |
wall lamp | applique | nf |
washer | rondelle | nf |
waste disposal unit | broyeur a ordures | nm |
water heater | chauffe-eau | nm |
water main | conduite principale | nf |
water softener | adoucisseur d’eau | nm |
waterproof | imperméable | adj |
watertight | étanche | adj |
waterseal (silicone) | hydrofuge | nf |
wedge | coin | nm |
well | puits | nm |
welding | soudure | nf |
wheelbarrow | brouette | nf |
width | largeur | nf |
window sill | rebord | nm |
woodburning stove | poêle | nm |
woodwork | boiserie | nf |
workshop | atelier | nm |
worm eaten | vermoulu | adj |
wrought iron | fer forgé | nm |