French · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Donkey" in French: âne
l'âne
Donkey in French is l'âne, masculine: un âne. A female donkey is une ânesse. The circonflexe â is part of the spelling.
Farm visit
Les enfants caressent l'âne près de la grange.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce âne
Say it
lahn
/l‿ɑn/
lahn. Circumflex â sounds like a longer ah. Plural ânes same vowel.
"Donkey" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'âne | the donkey With elision. | With elision. |
| un âne | a donkey Indefinite. | Indefinite. |
| une ânesse | a jenny (female donkey) Female. | Female. |
| un âne dans le pré | a donkey in the meadow Farm scene. | Farm scene. |
How to use âne in real life
- 1Farm visit
Les enfants caressent l'âne près de la grange.
The kids pet the donkey near the barn.
L'âne.
- 2Hiking village
Un âne porte les sacs sur le sentier.
A donkey carries the bags on the trail.
Un âne.
- 3Photo
Cet âne a de longues oreilles.
This donkey has long ears.
Cet âne.
Mistakes English speakers make with âne
Incorrect: Le ane est gentil.
Correct: L'âne est gentil.
Elision and circumflex: l'âne.
Incorrect: Une âne.
Correct: Un âne. / Une ânesse.
Masculine âne; female is ânesse.
Good to know
Provence tourism loves photos with un âne. Storybooks still use the stubborn-âne stereotype, though real donkeys are calm workers.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At a petting farm
ChatPal
Tu veux nourrir l'âne ?
Want to feed the donkey?
You
Oui ! L'âne a l'air docile.
Yes! The donkey looks gentle.
ChatPal
Doucement avec la main.
Gently with your hand.
You
OK.
OK.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Donkey" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Donkey" in French
How do you say donkey in French?
L'âne.
Female donkey?
Une ânesse.
Why the â?
Historical spelling; pronounce ahn.
How do you pronounce âne?
ahn.
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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