Learning a language like French can be both fun and rewarding. One of the best ways to start is by learning simple words that are useful in everyday conversations. For example, knowing how to say “turtle” in French might come in handy when talking about animals or exploring nature.
This article will help you learn the French word for “turtle,” along with its pronunciation. You’ll also discover other ways to talk about turtles in French, learn how to use the word in sentences, and practice with easy exercises. Let’s get started!
Ways to Say “Turtle” in French
In French, the word for “turtle” is tortue. It’s a simple word, easy to remember, and used for both land turtles and sea turtles. Below, you’ll find other ways to express the idea of a turtle in French, along with pronunciations, meanings, and example sentences.
1. Tortue
Pronunciation: tor-too
Meaning: Turtle (general term for turtles, including sea and land turtles).
In a Sentence:
- La tortue marche lentement sur la plage. (The turtle is walking slowly on the beach.)
- Ma sœur a une tortue comme animal de compagnie. (My sister has a turtle as a pet.)
2. Tortue marine
Pronunciation: tor-too mah-reen
Meaning: Sea turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue marine nage dans l’océan. (The sea turtle is swimming in the ocean.)
- Nous avons vu une tortue marine pendant notre plongée. (We saw a sea turtle during our dive.)
3. Tortue terrestre
Pronunciation: tor-too tehr-rest
Meaning: Land turtle (terrestrial turtle).
In a Sentence:
- La tortue terrestre vit dans les forêts tropicales. (The land turtle lives in tropical forests.)
- Les enfants ont trouvé une tortue terrestre dans le jardin. (The children found a land turtle in the garden.)
4. Petite tortue
Pronunciation: puh-teet tor-too
Meaning: Small turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Une petite tortue traverse la route. (A small turtle is crossing the road.)
- La petite tortue est adorable! (The small turtle is adorable!)
5. Tortue géante
Pronunciation: tor-too zhay-ahnt
Meaning: Giant turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Les tortues géantes vivent aux Galápagos. (Giant turtles live in the Galápagos.)
- Nous avons appris sur les tortues géantes en classe aujourd’hui. (We learned about giant turtles in class today.)
6. Tortue d’eau douce
Pronunciation: tor-too doh doos
Meaning: Freshwater turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue d’eau douce vit dans les lacs. (The freshwater turtle lives in lakes.)
- Nous avons vu une tortue d’eau douce près de la rivière. (We saw a freshwater turtle near the river.)
7. Tortue à carapace molle
Pronunciation: tor-too ah kah-rah-pass moll
Meaning: Softshell turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue à carapace molle est très rapide dans l’eau. (The softshell turtle is very fast in water.)
- Ils ont étudié les tortues à carapace molle au zoo. (They studied softshell turtles at the zoo.)
8. Tortue luth
Pronunciation: tor-too loot
Meaning: Leatherback turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue luth est la plus grande tortue marine. (The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle.)
- Nous avons regardé un documentaire sur les tortues luths. (We watched a documentary about leatherback turtles.)
9. Tortue de mer
Pronunciation: tor-too duh mehr
Meaning: Sea turtle (alternative term).
In a Sentence:
- Les tortues de mer pondent leurs œufs sur les plages. (Sea turtles lay their eggs on beaches.)
- Une tortue de mer est venue nager près de notre bateau. (A sea turtle came to swim near our boat.)
10. Tortue tropicale
Pronunciation: tor-too troh-pee-kal
Meaning: Tropical turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Les tortues tropicales habitent les régions chaudes. (Tropical turtles live in warm regions.)
- La tortue tropicale est belle avec ses couleurs vives. (The tropical turtle is beautiful with its bright colors.)
11. Tortue de Floride
Pronunciation: tor-too duh flo-ree-de
Meaning: Florida turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue de Floride est commune dans les étangs. (The Florida turtle is common in ponds.)
- J’ai vu une tortue de Floride pendant mes vacances. (I saw a Florida turtle during my vacation.)
12. Tortue de jardin
Pronunciation: tor-too duh zhar-dan
Meaning: Garden turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue de jardin aime se cacher sous les buissons. (The garden turtle likes to hide under bushes.)
- Nous avons trouvé une tortue de jardin ce matin. (We found a garden turtle this morning.)
13. Tortue rapide
Pronunciation: tor-too rah-peed
Meaning: Fast turtle (used playfully).
In a Sentence:
- Regarde cette tortue rapide! (Look at this fast turtle!)
- Cette tortue rapide court plus vite que je ne pensais. (This fast turtle runs faster than I thought.)
14. Tortue lente
Pronunciation: tor-too lahnt
Meaning: Slow turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue lente avance doucement sur le chemin. (The slow turtle moves slowly on the path.)
- Les enfants ont suivi la tortue lente tout l’après-midi. (The children followed the slow turtle all afternoon.)
15. Tortue de compagnie
Pronunciation: tor-too duh kohm-pah-nee
Meaning: Pet turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue de compagnie adore manger des légumes. (The pet turtle loves eating vegetables.)
- Ma fille veut une tortue de compagnie pour son anniversaire. (My daughter wants a pet turtle for her birthday.)
16. Tortue à pattes rouges
Pronunciation: tor-too ah paht rooj
Meaning: Red-footed tortoise.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue à pattes rouges est originaire d’Amérique du Sud. (The red-footed tortoise is native to South America.)
- Nous avons vu une tortue à pattes rouges au centre de préservation. (We saw a red-footed tortoise at the conservation center.)
17. Tortue albinos
Pronunciation: tor-too al-bee-no
Meaning: Albino turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue albinos est très rare. (The albino turtle is very rare.)
- J’ai pris une photo d’une tortue albinos au zoo. (I took a picture of an albino turtle at the zoo.)
18. Tortue préhistorique
Pronunciation: tor-too pray-his-tor-eek
Meaning: Prehistoric turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Les tortues préhistoriques étaient énormes. (Prehistoric turtles were enormous.)
- Nous avons appris des fossiles de tortues préhistoriques en classe. (We learned about prehistoric turtle fossils in class.)
19. Tortue des Galápagos
Pronunciation: tor-too day gah-lah-pah-gos
Meaning: Galápagos tortoise.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue des Galápagos est connue pour sa longévité. (The Galápagos tortoise is known for its longevity.)
- Nous rêvons de voir une tortue des Galápagos un jour. (We dream of seeing a Galápagos tortoise someday.)
20. Tortue bébé
Pronunciation: tor-too bay-bay
Meaning: Baby turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Une tortue bébé sort de son œuf! (A baby turtle is hatching from its egg!)
- Les enfants ont relâché une tortue bébé dans l’eau. (The children released a baby turtle into the water.)
21. Tortue mâle
Pronunciation: tor-too mahl
Meaning: Male turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Le zoologiste a identifié la tortue mâle. (The zoologist identified the male turtle.)
- La tortue mâle est plus grande que la femelle. (The male turtle is larger than the female.)
22. Tortue femelle
Pronunciation: tor-too fuh-mehl
Meaning: Female turtle.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue femelle pond des œufs au printemps. (The female turtle lays eggs in the spring.)
- Nous avons suivi la tortue femelle jusqu’à son nid. (We followed the female turtle to her nest.)
23. Tortue géante des Seychelles
Pronunciation: tor-too zhay-ahnt day sey-shel
Meaning: Giant Seychelles tortoise.
In a Sentence:
- La tortue géante des Seychelles peut vivre plus de 150 ans. (The giant Seychelles tortoise can live over 150 years.)
- Nous avons étudié la tortue géante des Seychelles pour un projet. (We studied the giant Seychelles tortoise for a project.)
24. Tortue en plastique
Pronunciation: tor-too on plah-steek
Meaning: Plastic turtle (toy).
In a Sentence:
- L’enfant joue avec sa tortue en plastique. (The child is playing with their plastic turtle.)
- J’ai acheté une tortue en plastique pour mon neveu. (I bought a plastic turtle for my nephew.)
25. Tortue animée
Pronunciation: tor-too ah-nee-may
Meaning: Cartoon turtle.
In a Sentence:
- Mon frère adore regarder des tortues animées. (My brother loves watching cartoon turtles.)
- Nous avons dessiné des tortues animées en classe d’art. (We drew cartoon turtles in art class.)
Other Ways to Say “Turtle” in French
Below is a table of other ways to refer to or describe turtles in French. These terms are not repeats from the previous section but provide alternative ways to talk about turtles in various contexts.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Tortue aquatique | tor-too ah-kwa-teek | Aquatic turtle | Les tortues aquatiques vivent dans les rivières. (Aquatic turtles live in rivers.) |
| Tortue de boue | tor-too duh boo | Mud turtle | La tortue de boue aime les zones humides. (The mud turtle loves wet areas.) |
| Tortue alligator | tor-too ah-lee-gah-tor | Alligator snapping turtle | La tortue alligator a une mâchoire puissante. (The alligator snapping turtle has a powerful jaw.) |
| Tortue herbivore | tor-too er-bee-vor | Herbivorous turtle | Les tortues herbivores mangent des plantes. (Herbivorous turtles eat plants.) |
| Tortue carnivore | tor-too kar-nee-vor | Carnivorous turtle | Cette tortue carnivore mange des poissons. (This carnivorous turtle eats fish.) |
| Tortue omnivore | tor-too om-nee-vor | Omnivorous turtle | La tortue omnivore mange des fruits et des insectes. (The omnivorous turtle eats fruits and insects.) |
| Tortue géologique | tor-too zhay-oh-lo-zheek | Fossil turtle (geological) | Ils ont trouvé une tortue géologique dans la pierre. (They found a fossil turtle in the rock.) |
| Tortue fossile | tor-too fo-sil | Fossil turtle | Une tortue fossile a été découverte dans ce site. (A fossil turtle was discovered at this site.) |
| Tortue verte | tor-too vehr-tuh | Green turtle | La tortue verte est une espèce marine. (The green turtle is a marine species.) |
| Tortue boisée | tor-too bwa-zay | Wood turtle | La tortue boisée habite les forêts. (The wood turtle lives in forests.) |
| Tortue à trois doigts | tor-too ah trwa dwa | Three-toed turtle | La tortue à trois doigts est très rare ici. (The three-toed turtle is very rare here.) |
| Tortue plate | tor-too plaht | Flat turtle | Cette tortue plate vit sur les plages sablonneuses. (This flat turtle lives on sandy beaches.) |
| Tortue mosaïque | tor-too mo-zah-eek | Mosaic turtle | Les motifs de la tortue mosaïque sont magnifiques. (The patterns of the mosaic turtle are beautiful.) |
| Tortue nain | tor-too nawn | Dwarf turtle | La tortue nain est idéale pour les petits aquariums. (The dwarf turtle is ideal for small aquariums.) |
| Tortue forestière | tor-too for-es-tee-air | Forest turtle | La tortue forestière est très discrète. (The forest turtle is very discreet.) |
| Tortue couleuvre | tor-too kool-euv-ruh | Snake-necked turtle | La tortue couleuvre a un cou très long. (The snake-necked turtle has a very long neck.) |
| Tortue dorée | tor-too do-ray | Golden turtle | La tortue dorée brille sous le soleil. (The golden turtle shines under the sun.) |
| Tortue géométrique | tor-too zhay-oh-may-treek | Geometric tortoise | La tortue géométrique est unique en Afrique du Sud. (The geometric tortoise is unique to South Africa.) |
| Tortue volante | tor-too vol-ahnt | Flying turtle (imaginary/playful) | Une tortue volante apparaît dans son rêve. (A flying turtle appears in his dream.) |
| Tortue de contes | tor-too duh kont | Storybook turtle | Les tortues de contes sont souvent sages. (Storybook turtles are often wise.) |
Response to “Turtle” in French
Here are some typical responses or phrases you might hear or use when talking about turtles in French.
1. C’est fascinant !
Pronunciation: say fas-ee-nahnt
Meaning: That’s fascinating!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai vu une tortue géante aujourd’hui. (I saw a giant turtle today.)
Person 2: C’est fascinant ! (That’s fascinating!)
2. Vraiment ? Je veux en savoir plus.
Pronunciation: vray-mahn? juh vuhz ahn sah-vwahr ploo
Meaning: Really? I want to know more.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette tortue peut vivre 100 ans. (This turtle can live 100 years.)
Person 2: Vraiment ? Je veux en savoir plus. (Really? I want to know more.)
3. Les tortues sont incroyables.
Pronunciation: lay tor-too son in-kwray-ahbl
Meaning: Turtles are amazing.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Regarde cette tortue dans l’eau. (Look at this turtle in the water.)
Person 2: Les tortues sont incroyables. (Turtles are amazing.)
4. Quelle belle tortue !
Pronunciation: kel bel tor-too
Meaning: What a beautiful turtle!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai dessiné une tortue. (I drew a turtle.)
Person 2: Quelle belle tortue ! (What a beautiful turtle!)
5. C’est une espèce protégée, non ?
Pronunciation: say toon es-pess pro-tay-zhay, noh?
Meaning: It’s a protected species, right?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai vu une tortue verte sur la plage. (I saw a green turtle on the beach.)
Person 2: C’est une espèce protégée, non ? (It’s a protected species, right?)
6. Les tortues sont très anciennes.
Pronunciation: lay tor-too son trayz an-syen
Meaning: Turtles are very ancient.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Savez-vous que les tortues existaient avant les dinosaures ? (Did you know turtles existed before dinosaurs?)
Person 2: Oui, les tortues sont très anciennes. (Yes, turtles are very ancient.)
7. J’adore les tortues !
Pronunciation: zhah-dor lay tor-too
Meaning: I love turtles!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: As-tu un animal préféré ? (Do you have a favorite animal?)
Person 2: Oui, j’adore les tortues ! (Yes, I love turtles!)
8. C’est une tortue marine ?
Pronunciation: say toon tor-too mah-reen
Meaning: Is it a sea turtle?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai pris une photo d’une tortue. (I took a picture of a turtle.)
Person 2: C’est une tortue marine ? (Is it a sea turtle?)
9. Comment la tortue survit-elle si longtemps ?
Pronunciation: koh-mahn lah tor-too sur-vee-tel see lon-tahng
Meaning: How does the turtle survive so long?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Certaines tortues peuvent vivre plus de 150 ans. (Some turtles can live more than 150 years.)
Person 2: Comment la tortue survit-elle si longtemps ? (How does the turtle survive so long?)
10. Où as-tu vu cette tortue ?
Pronunciation: oo ah-too voo set tor-too
Meaning: Where did you see this turtle?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai vu une tortue dans le lac. (I saw a turtle in the lake.)
Person 2: Où as-tu vu cette tortue ? (Where did you see this turtle?)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Turtle” in French
Below is a fill-in-the-blank exercise. Use the words and phrases you learned to complete each sentence. The entire sentence is in French, and its meaning in English follows. Answers are provided at the end.
Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise
- Une ______ traverse lentement la route.
(A ______ is slowly crossing the road.) - J’ai vu une ______ dans l’eau près de la plage.
(I saw a ______ in the water near the beach.) - Les enfants observent une ______ dans leur jardin.
(The children are watching a ______ in their garden.) - Une ______ géante peut vivre très longtemps.
(A giant ______ can live a very long time.) - Nous avons appris que les ______ marines pondent leurs œufs sur la plage.
(We learned that sea ______ lay their eggs on the beach.) - La ______ verte est une espèce protégée.
(The green ______ is a protected species.) - Mon frère a une ______ de compagnie.
(My brother has a pet ______.) - Regarde cette ______ à carapace molle dans le lac.
(Look at this softshell ______ in the lake.) - Une ______ tropicale habite dans les climats chauds.
(A tropical ______ lives in warm climates.) - Les ______ des Galápagos sont très grandes et célèbres.
(The Galápagos ______ are very large and famous.) - Pendant notre randonnée, nous avons vu une ______ terrestre.
(During our hike, we saw a land ______.) - Les ______ préhistoriques étaient énormes.
(The prehistoric ______ were enormous.)
Answers
- Une tortue traverse lentement la route. (A turtle is slowly crossing the road.)
- J’ai vu une tortue marine dans l’eau près de la plage. (I saw a sea turtle in the water near the beach.)
- Les enfants observent une tortue de jardin dans leur jardin. (The children are watching a garden turtle in their garden.)
- Une tortue géante peut vivre très longtemps. (A giant turtle can live a very long time.)
- Nous avons appris que les tortues marines pondent leurs œufs sur la plage. (We learned that sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach.)
- La tortue verte est une espèce protégée. (The green turtle is a protected species.)
- Mon frère a une tortue de compagnie. (My brother has a pet turtle.)
- Regarde cette tortue à carapace molle dans le lac. (Look at this softshell turtle in the lake.)
- Une tortue tropicale habite dans les climats chauds. (A tropical turtle lives in warm climates.)
- Les tortues des Galápagos sont très grandes et célèbres. (The Galápagos turtles are very large and famous.)
- Pendant notre randonnée, nous avons vu une tortue terrestre. (During our hike, we saw a land turtle.)
- Les tortues préhistoriques étaient énormes. (The prehistoric turtles were enormous.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “turtle” in French opens up new ways to explore and discuss these fascinating creatures in conversations. From the basic word tortue to more specific terms like tortue marine or tortue terrestre, you now have a range of vocabulary to describe turtles in different settings.
Practicing these phrases and terms can help you feel more comfortable using French in everyday life. Whether you’re visiting a zoo, talking about pets, or learning about wildlife, these expressions will come in handy. Keep practicing, and soon, speaking about turtles in French will feel natural and fun!