French · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Dolphin" in French: dauphin
le dauphin
Dolphin in French is le dauphin, masculine. You meet dauphins in the sea, in documentaries, and at some aquariums.
Boat trip
On a vu un dauphin près du bateau.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce dauphin
Say it
doh-FAN
/do.fɛ̃/
Dauphin: doh-FAN. Au like oh; final in is nasal—no hard n sound.
"Dolphin" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le dauphin | the dolphin Main word. | Main word. |
| un dauphin | a dolphin Indefinite. | Indefinite. |
| les dauphins | dolphins Plural. | Plural. |
| un spectacle de dauphins | a dolphin show Tourism context. | Tourism context. |
How to use dauphin in real life
- 1Boat trip
On a vu un dauphin près du bateau.
We saw a dolphin near the boat.
Près de = near.
- 2Kids' book
Le dauphin saute hors de l'eau.
The dolphin jumps out of the water.
Hors de = out of.
- 3Documentary
Ces dauphins communiquent entre eux.
These dolphins communicate with each other.
Entre eux = among themselves.
Mistakes English speakers make with dauphin
Incorrect: La dauphin.
Correct: Le dauphin.
Dauphin is masculine.
Incorrect: Un dolphin.
Correct: Un dauphin.
Use dauphin.
Good to know
Dauphin also historically meant the heir to the French throne—you'll see that in museums and history class, not at the beach. For animals, context is obvious.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
On a coastal day trip
ChatPal
Regarde à droite : un dauphin !
Look right: a dolphin!
You
Je le vois ! Le dauphin revient.
I see it! The dolphin is coming back.
ChatPal
Incroyable. Tu as une photo ?
Amazing. Do you have a photo?
You
Oui, un peu floue, mais oui.
Yes, a bit blurry, but yes.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Dolphin" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Dolphin" in French
Gender?
Masculine: le dauphin.
Pronunciation?
Doh-FAN (nasal).
Plural?
Les dauphins.
Other meaning of dauphin?
Historically, the king's heir.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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