French · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Lightning" in French: éclair
l'éclair
Note: strike: la foudre
Lightning in French is l'éclair, masculine. Un éclair a illuminé le ciel means a flash of lightning lit the sky. La foudre is the strike; write éclair for the flash.
Watching a storm
Un éclair vient de zébrer le ciel.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce éclair
Say it
lay-KLAIR
/e.klɛʁ/
Éclair: ay-KLAIR. Clear open e; final r soft. With article: lay-KLAIR.
"Lightning" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'éclair | the lightning (flash) Sky flash. | Sky flash. |
| un éclair | a flash of lightning Countable flash. | Countable flash. |
| des éclairs | lightning flashes Plural storm. | Plural storm. |
| éclair et tonnerre | lightning and thunder Pair in weather talk. | Pair in weather talk. |
How to use éclair in real life
- 1Watching a storm
Un éclair vient de zébrer le ciel.
A flash of lightning just streaked the sky.
Éclair as lightning.
- 2Camping safety
S'il y a des éclairs, on quitte la crête.
If there are lightning flashes, we leave the ridge.
Plural éclairs.
- 3Night photo fail
J'ai raté l'éclair sur la photo.
I missed the lightning on the photo.
L'éclair with article.
Mistakes English speakers make with éclair
Incorrect: La foudre a illuminé le ciel — pour dire éclair.
Correct: Un éclair a illuminé le ciel.
Use éclair for the flash; foudre is the strike.
Incorrect: Je commande un éclair au chocolat — pour l'orage.
Correct: Je vois un éclair dans le ciel.
The pastry éclair is a different everyday meaning; for storms use lightning éclair.
Good to know
Weather reports mention orages and éclairs. Counting seconds between éclair and tonnerre is a kid game for distance. Context separates sky éclair from the chocolate éclair pastry.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Storm at the window
ChatPal
Tu as vu cet éclair ?
Did you see that lightning flash?
You
Oui, l'éclair était juste au-dessus des toits.
Yes—the lightning was right above the roofs.
ChatPal
Encore un éclair… on débranche les ordis.
Another flash… let's unplug the computers.
You
Bonne idée.
Good idea.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Lightning" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Lightning" in French
How do you say lightning in French?
L'éclair.
What is la foudre then?
The lightning strike / bolt hitting.
Is éclair the pastry too?
Yes in bakeries—but here it means the sky flash.
How do you pronounce éclair?
ay-KLAIR.
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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