Gold is a valuable metal that people treasure worldwide. It is known for its beautiful shine and its importance in jewelry, coins, and even technology. If you’re learning French, you might wonder how to talk about gold in this lovely language. Knowing the word for gold can be helpful, whether you’re shopping, traveling, or simply improving your vocabulary.
In this article, we will explore how to say “gold” in French. You’ll also learn different ways to use this word, discover responses to it, and practice with easy exercises. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using the word in your conversations. Let’s begin!
Ways to Say Gold in French
The word “gold” in French is an essential term, especially for conversations about jewelry, finance, or art. French offers a few ways to refer to gold depending on the context. Below are 25 ways to say “gold” in French, each with its pronunciation, meaning, and examples to help you understand and use them correctly.
1. Or
Pronunciation: [ohr]
Meaning: Gold (the metal).
In a Sentence:
- Cet anneau est en or. (This ring is made of gold.)
- Elle adore les bijoux en or. (She loves gold jewelry.)
2. Doré
Pronunciation: [doh-ray]
Meaning: Golden (color or appearance).
In a Sentence:
- Le ciel est doré au coucher du soleil. (The sky is golden at sunset.)
- Elle porte une robe dorée. (She is wearing a golden dress.)
3. En or
Pronunciation: [ahn ohr]
Meaning: Made of gold.
In a Sentence:
- Ce collier est en or véritable. (This necklace is made of real gold.)
- Les décorations sont en or massif. (The decorations are made of solid gold.)
4. Or fin
Pronunciation: [ohr fehn]
Meaning: Fine gold.
In a Sentence:
- Ce lingot est en or fin. (This bar is made of fine gold.)
- Les bijoux anciens sont souvent en or fin. (Antique jewelry is often made of fine gold.)
5. Couleur or
Pronunciation: [koo-lehr ohr]
Meaning: Gold-colored.
In a Sentence:
- La voiture est de couleur or. (The car is gold-colored.)
- Il a choisi une montre couleur or. (He chose a gold-colored watch.)
6. Feuille d’or
Pronunciation: [fuh-yuh dohr]
Meaning: Gold leaf.
In a Sentence:
- Ce tableau est décoré avec de la feuille d’or. (This painting is decorated with gold leaf.)
- Les meubles sont embellis avec des feuilles d’or. (The furniture is adorned with gold leaves.)
7. Dorure
Pronunciation: [doh-roor]
Meaning: Gilding.
In a Sentence:
- La dorure sur ce cadre est magnifique. (The gilding on this frame is beautiful.)
- Le plafond du palais est orné de dorures. (The palace ceiling is adorned with gilding.)
8. Poussière d’or
Pronunciation: [poos-syehr dohr]
Meaning: Gold dust.
In a Sentence:
- On a trouvé de la poussière d’or dans la rivière. (Gold dust was found in the river.)
- La poussière d’or est utilisée dans l’artisanat. (Gold dust is used in crafting.)
9. Lingot d’or
Pronunciation: [lan-goh dohr]
Meaning: Gold bar.
In a Sentence:
- Il a investi dans des lingots d’or. (He invested in gold bars.)
- Les lingots d’or sont conservés dans un coffre-fort. (Gold bars are kept in a safe.)
10. Chaîne en or
Pronunciation: [shen ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold chain.
In a Sentence:
- Il porte une chaîne en or autour du cou. (He wears a gold chain around his neck.)
- Sa chaîne en or est un héritage familial. (His gold chain is a family heirloom.)
11. Or massif
Pronunciation: [ohr mah-seef]
Meaning: Solid gold.
In a Sentence:
- Cette bague est en or massif. (This ring is made of solid gold.)
- L’or massif est très précieux. (Solid gold is very valuable.)
12. Paillette d’or
Pronunciation: [pah-yet dohr]
Meaning: Gold flake.
In a Sentence:
- Ce gâteau est décoré avec des paillettes d’or. (This cake is decorated with gold flakes.)
- Les paillettes d’or ajoutent une touche luxueuse. (Gold flakes add a luxurious touch.)
13. Statue en or
Pronunciation: [stah-tyoo ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold statue.
In a Sentence:
- La statue en or brille sous le soleil. (The gold statue shines under the sun.)
- Ils ont offert une statue en or comme récompense. (They gave a gold statue as a reward.)
14. Objets en or
Pronunciation: [ob-zheh ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold objects.
In a Sentence:
- Les objets en or sont exposés au musée. (Gold objects are displayed in the museum.)
- Elle collectionne des objets en or rares. (She collects rare gold objects.)
15. Mine d’or
Pronunciation: [meen dohr]
Meaning: Gold mine.
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont découvert une mine d’or dans la région. (They discovered a gold mine in the area.)
- Travailler dans une mine d’or est très difficile. (Working in a gold mine is very hard.)
16. Marché de l’or
Pronunciation: [mar-shay duh lohr]
Meaning: Gold market.
In a Sentence:
- Le marché de l’or est en hausse. (The gold market is on the rise.)
- Les investisseurs observent attentivement le marché de l’or. (Investors are closely watching the gold market.)
17. Bijoux en or
Pronunciation: [bee-zhoo ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold jewelry.
In a Sentence:
- Elle adore acheter des bijoux en or. (She loves buying gold jewelry.)
- Ces bijoux en or viennent d’Italie. (These gold jewelry pieces come from Italy.)
18. Ornement doré
Pronunciation: [ohr-ne-mon doh-ray]
Meaning: Golden ornament.
In a Sentence:
- Les sapins de Noël sont remplis d’ornements dorés. (Christmas trees are full of golden ornaments.)
- Cet ornement doré est unique. (This golden ornament is unique.)
19. Couronne d’or
Pronunciation: [koo-rohn dohr]
Meaning: Gold crown.
In a Sentence:
- La couronne d’or appartenait à un ancien roi. (The gold crown belonged to a former king.)
- Il a vu une couronne d’or dans le musée. (He saw a gold crown in the museum.)
20. Pluie d’or
Pronunciation: [plwee dohr]
Meaning: Golden rain.
In a Sentence:
- Le feu d’artifice ressemblait à une pluie d’or. (The fireworks looked like golden rain.)
- La pluie d’or est une scène féerique. (Golden rain is a magical sight.)
21. Montre en or
Pronunciation: [mohn-tr ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold watch.
In a Sentence:
- Sa montre en or est très élégante. (His gold watch is very elegant.)
- Une montre en or est souvent un symbole de richesse. (A gold watch is often a symbol of wealth.)
22. Couvert doré
Pronunciation: [koo-ver doh-ray]
Meaning: Gold-plated cutlery.
In a Sentence:
- Les couverts dorés sont utilisés pour les dîners spéciaux. (Gold-plated cutlery is used for special dinners.)
- Il a acheté des couverts dorés pour sa collection. (He bought gold-plated cutlery for his collection.)
23. Le métal précieux
Pronunciation: [luh meh-tahl preh-syoo]
Meaning: Precious metal.
In a Sentence:
- L’or est un métal précieux. (Gold is a precious metal.)
- Le métal précieux est très recherché. (Precious metals are highly sought after.)
24. Or liquide
Pronunciation: [ohr lee-keed]
Meaning: Liquid gold.
In a Sentence:
- Ce miel est comme de l’or liquide. (This honey is like liquid gold.)
- La soupe est si délicieuse qu’on pourrait l’appeler de l’or liquide. (The soup is so delicious that it could be called liquid gold.)
25. Âge d’or
Pronunciation: [ahj dohr]
Meaning: Golden age.
In a Sentence:
- Le Moyen Âge est souvent considéré comme un âge d’or pour l’art. (The Middle Ages are often considered a golden age for art.)
- Ce groupe a connu son âge d’or dans les années 80. (This band had its golden age in the 80s.)
26. Argent doré
Pronunciation: [ar-zhahn doh-ray]
Meaning: Gold-plated silver.
In a Sentence:
- Ce bracelet est en argent doré. (This bracelet is made of gold-plated silver.)
- Les couverts en argent doré sont très élégants. (Gold-plated silver cutlery is very elegant.)
27. Or blanc
Pronunciation: [ohr blahn]
Meaning: White gold.
In a Sentence:
- Cette bague est en or blanc. (This ring is made of white gold.)
- Elle préfère les bijoux en or blanc. (She prefers white gold jewelry.)
28. Or noir
Pronunciation: [ohr nwahr]
Meaning: Black gold (often used metaphorically for oil).
In a Sentence:
- Le pétrole est parfois appelé or noir. (Oil is sometimes called black gold.)
- L’or noir est une ressource précieuse. (Black gold is a valuable resource.)
29. Fleur dorée
Pronunciation: [fleuhr doh-ray]
Meaning: Golden flower.
In a Sentence:
- Ce tableau montre une fleur dorée. (This painting shows a golden flower.)
- J’ai planté une fleur dorée dans mon jardin. (I planted a golden flower in my garden.)
30. Ornement en or
Pronunciation: [ohr-nuh-mon ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold ornament.
In a Sentence:
- Les ornement en or sont très précieux. (Gold ornaments are very valuable.)
- Il a reçu un ornement en or comme cadeau. (He received a gold ornament as a gift.)
31. Médaillon doré
Pronunciation: [meh-dah-yohn doh-ray]
Meaning: Golden locket.
In a Sentence:
- Ce médaillon doré est un souvenir de famille. (This golden locket is a family keepsake.)
- Elle porte toujours un médaillon doré autour du cou. (She always wears a golden locket around her neck.)
32. Or antique
Pronunciation: [ohr ahn-teek]
Meaning: Antique gold.
In a Sentence:
- Les musées possèdent souvent des pièces en or antique. (Museums often have antique gold pieces.)
- Ces bijoux en or antique datent de plusieurs siècles. (These antique gold jewels are centuries old.)
33. Étoiles dorées
Pronunciation: [ay-twahl doh-ray]
Meaning: Golden stars.
In a Sentence:
- Le ciel était rempli d’étoiles dorées. (The sky was filled with golden stars.)
- Les décorations comportaient des étoiles dorées. (The decorations included golden stars.)
34. Cadre en or
Pronunciation: [kah-druh ahn ohr]
Meaning: Gold frame.
In a Sentence:
- Ce tableau est encadré dans un cadre en or. (This painting is framed in a gold frame.)
- Ils ont choisi un cadre en or pour le portrait. (They chose a gold frame for the portrait.)
35. Fil d’or
Pronunciation: [feel dohr]
Meaning: Gold thread.
In a Sentence:
- Cette robe est brodée avec du fil d’or. (This dress is embroidered with gold thread.)
- Le fil d’or est utilisé pour créer des motifs élégants. (Gold thread is used to create elegant patterns.)
Other Ways to Say Gold in French
Here are additional expressions to refer to gold in French, organized in a table for clarity:
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Plaqué or | [plah-kay ohr] | Gold-plated | Cette montre est en plaqué or. (This watch is gold-plated.) |
| Dorure ancienne | [doh-roor ahn-syen] | Antique gilding | La dorure ancienne de ce cadre est magnifique. (The antique gilding on this frame is stunning.) |
| Poudre d’or | [poodr dohr] | Gold powder | Ils utilisent de la poudre d’or pour ce produit. (They use gold powder for this product.) |
| Alliance en or | [ah-lee-ahnse ahn ohr] | Gold wedding ring | Leur alliance est en or. (Their wedding ring is gold.) |
| L’or du matin | [lor doo mah-tan] | Morning gold (metaphoric for sunrise) | L’or du matin illumine le ciel. (The morning gold lights up the sky.) |
| Trésor en or | [tray-zor ahn ohr] | Gold treasure | Ils ont découvert un trésor en or sous l’océan. (They discovered a gold treasure under the ocean.) |
| Éclat doré | [ay-klah doh-ray] | Golden glow | Le soleil projette un éclat doré sur l’eau. (The sun casts a golden glow on the water.) |
| Carats d’or | [kah-rah dohr] | Carats of gold | Ce bijou contient 18 carats d’or. (This jewelry contains 18 carats of gold.) |
| Ruban doré | [roo-bahn doh-ray] | Golden ribbon | Le cadeau était attaché avec un ruban doré. (The gift was tied with a golden ribbon.) |
| Économie d’or | [ay-koh-no-mee dohr] | Gold economy (metaphoric) | L’économie d’or de la région dépend des mines. (The region’s gold economy depends on mines.) |
Responses to “Gold” in French
When talking about gold in French, people often respond with phrases that reflect admiration, curiosity, or contextual relevance. Below are common responses you might hear or use during conversations involving gold.
1. C’est magnifique !
Pronunciation: [say mah-nee-feek]
Meaning: That’s magnificent!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette bague est en or. (This ring is made of gold.)
- Person 2: C’est magnifique ! (That’s magnificent!)
2. Quelle beauté !
Pronunciation: [kel boh-tay]
Meaning: What beauty!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce collier est en or massif. (This necklace is solid gold.)
- Person 2: Quelle beauté ! (What beauty!)
3. Vraiment précieux.
Pronunciation: [vray-mon preh-syoo]
Meaning: Truly precious.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces objets sont en or antique. (These objects are made of antique gold.)
- Person 2: Vraiment précieux. (Truly precious.)
4. Incroyable !
Pronunciation: [ahn-krwah-yahbl]
Meaning: Incredible!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai trouvé de la poussière d’or. (I found some gold dust.)
- Person 2: Incroyable ! (Incredible!)
5. Un vrai trésor.
Pronunciation: [uhn vray tray-zor]
Meaning: A real treasure.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Voici un lingot d’or. (Here is a gold bar.)
- Person 2: Un vrai trésor. (A real treasure.)
6. C’est rare.
Pronunciation: [say rahr]
Meaning: That’s rare.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cet ornement est en or pur. (This ornament is pure gold.)
- Person 2: C’est rare. (That’s rare.)
7. J’adore ça.
Pronunciation: [zhah-door sah]
Meaning: I love that.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces bijoux dorés viennent de Paris. (This gold jewelry is from Paris.)
- Person 2: J’adore ça. (I love that.)
8. Quelle trouvaille !
Pronunciation: [kel troo-vye]
Meaning: What a find!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On a découvert une mine d’or. (We discovered a gold mine.)
- Person 2: Quelle trouvaille ! (What a find!)
9. Superbe !
Pronunciation: [soo-pehrb]
Meaning: Superb!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce tableau est décoré avec des feuilles d’or. (This painting is decorated with gold leaf.)
- Person 2: Superbe ! (Superb!)
10. Ça doit valoir cher.
Pronunciation: [sah dwah vah-lwahr shehr]
Meaning: That must be expensive.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bijou est en or blanc. (This jewelry is made of white gold.)
- Person 2: Ça doit valoir cher. (That must be expensive.)
11. C’est impressionnant !
Pronunciation: [say ahn-preh-syoh-nahn]
Meaning: That’s impressive!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette sculpture est en or massif. (This sculpture is made of solid gold.)
- Person 2: C’est impressionnant ! (That’s impressive!)
12. Quelle splendeur !
Pronunciation: [kel splon-deuhr]
Meaning: What splendor!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Les décorations sont en or pur. (The decorations are pure gold.)
- Person 2: Quelle splendeur ! (What splendor!)
13. Une œuvre d’art.
Pronunciation: [oon oe-vruh dahr]
Meaning: A work of art.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette pièce en or est ancienne. (This gold piece is antique.)
- Person 2: Une œuvre d’art. (A work of art.)
14. Incroyablement beau.
Pronunciation: [ahn-krwah-yah-bluh-mon boh]
Meaning: Incredibly beautiful.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Regarde ce bracelet doré. (Look at this golden bracelet.)
- Person 2: Incroyablement beau. (Incredibly beautiful.)
15. Ça brille tellement !
Pronunciation: [sah bree-yuh tell-mon]
Meaning: It shines so much!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bijou est en or poli. (This jewelry is polished gold.)
- Person 2: Ça brille tellement ! (It shines so much!)
16. Une vraie merveille.
Pronunciation: [oon vray mehr-vey]
Meaning: A true marvel.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cet objet en or antique est unique. (This antique gold object is unique.)
- Person 2: Une vraie merveille. (A true marvel.)
17. Tout simplement parfait.
Pronunciation: [too sahm-plee-mon par-fay]
Meaning: Simply perfect.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette montre en or est un cadeau. (This gold watch is a gift.)
- Person 2: Tout simplement parfait. (Simply perfect.)
18. Ça donne envie.
Pronunciation: [sah don ahn-vee]
Meaning: That makes you want it.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Regardez ce lingot d’or. (Look at this gold bar.)
- Person 2: Ça donne envie. (That makes you want it.)
19. C’est une fortune.
Pronunciation: [say toon for-tyoon]
Meaning: That’s a fortune.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce coffre contient des pièces en or. (This chest contains gold coins.)
- Person 2: C’est une fortune. (That’s a fortune.)
20. Rare et précieux.
Pronunciation: [rahr eh preh-syoo]
Meaning: Rare and precious.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bijou est fabriqué en or fin. (This jewelry is made of fine gold.)
- Person 2: Rare et précieux. (Rare and precious.)
21. C’est fascinant.
Pronunciation: [say fah-see-nahn]
Meaning: That’s fascinating.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On a trouvé de la poussière d’or dans cette région. (Gold dust was found in this region.)
- Person 2: C’est fascinant. (That’s fascinating.)
22. Un symbole de richesse.
Pronunciation: [uhn sam-bol duh ree-shess]
Meaning: A symbol of wealth.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces décorations sont en or pur. (These decorations are pure gold.)
- Person 2: Un symbole de richesse. (A symbol of wealth.)
23. Quelle chance de l’avoir !
Pronunciation: [kel shans duh lah-vwahr]
Meaning: What luck to have it!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cet objet en or m’appartient. (This gold object belongs to me.)
- Person 2: Quelle chance de l’avoir ! (What luck to have it!)
Exercise to Practice “Gold” in French
Below is a fill-in-the-blank exercise using the different ways to say “gold” in French. Each sentence is in French and includes the meaning in English. Try to fill in the blanks with the correct term for “gold” based on the context.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Ce collier est en ________. (This necklace is made of gold.)
- Le ciel au coucher du soleil devient ________. (The sky at sunset becomes golden.)
- Cette statue est faite en ________. (This statue is made of solid gold.)
- Nous avons décoré le tableau avec de la ________. (We decorated the painting with gold leaf.)
- Il a acheté une montre ________. (He bought a gold watch.)
- Les couverts ________ sont utilisés lors des dîners officiels. (Gold-plated cutlery is used during formal dinners.)
- Ce gâteau est garni de ________. (This cake is garnished with gold flakes.)
- Ils ont trouvé de la ________ dans la rivière. (They found gold dust in the river.)
- Ce bracelet est en argent ________. (This bracelet is made of gold-plated silver.)
- La région est célèbre pour ses mines ________. (The region is famous for its gold mines.)
- Ce lingot est fabriqué en ________. (This bar is made of fine gold.)
- Le cadre de ce miroir est en ________. (The frame of this mirror is made of gold.)
Answers
- or (This necklace is made of gold.)
- doré (The sky at sunset becomes golden.)
- or massif (This statue is made of solid gold.)
- feuille d’or (We decorated the painting with gold leaf.)
- en or (He bought a gold watch.)
- dorés (Gold-plated cutlery is used during formal dinners.)
- paillettes d’or (This cake is garnished with gold flakes.)
- poussière d’or (They found gold dust in the river.)
- doré (This bracelet is made of gold-plated silver.)
- d’or (The region is famous for its gold mines.)
- or fin (This bar is made of fine gold.)
- or (The frame of this mirror is made of gold.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “gold” in French opens up opportunities to describe its beauty, value, and uses in various contexts. Whether you are talking about jewelry, art, or treasures, these phrases help you express yourself clearly and impressively. From simple terms like “or” to more descriptive phrases like “feuille d’or” or “or massif”, knowing these expressions enriches your French vocabulary.
By practicing with sentences and exercises, you can build confidence and use these words naturally in conversations. Keep exploring the language, and soon, speaking about gold in French will feel as effortless as talking about it in English. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)