French · Emotions & Descriptions

"Quiet" in French: silencieux / silencieuse

silencieux / silencieuse

Say it: see-lahn-SYUH / see-lahn-SYUZadjective/si.lɑ̃.sjø/ /si.lɑ̃.sjøz/

Note: also: calme

Quiet in French is silencieux for masculine and silencieuse for feminine. Calme is a close cousin for a peaceful place or person.

Library

Soyez silencieux, s'il vous plaît.
Please be quiet.
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How to pronounce silencieux / silencieuse

Say it

see-lahn-SYUH / see-lahn-SYUZ

/si.lɑ̃.sjø/ /si.lɑ̃.sjøz/

Silencieux: see-lahn-SYUH. Silencieuse: see-lahn-SYUZ. Nasal en; x silent in masculine.

"Quiet" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
silencieux / silencieusequiet / silent

Low sound.

calmecalm / quiet

Peaceful atmosphere.

un endroit silencieuxa quiet place

Location.

faire silenceto be quiet / hush

Request.

How to use silencieux / silencieuse in real life

  1. 1Library

    Soyez silencieux, s'il vous plaît.

    Please be quiet.

    Plural polite.

  2. 2Apartment

    Le voisin du dessus n'est pas silencieux.

    The upstairs neighbor isn't quiet.

    Silencieux.

  3. 3Car

    Cette voiture est vraiment silencieuse.

    This car is really quiet.

    Silencieuse feminine.

Mistakes English speakers make with silencieux / silencieuse

Incorrect: Une pièce silencieux.

Correct: Une pièce silencieuse.

Feminine agreement: silencieuse.

Incorrect: Sois quiet.

Correct: Sois silencieux / tais-toi / sois calme.

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Good to know

In shared buildings, quiet hours matter culturally even when not posted. Silencieux can also describe a silent film (film silencieux) or a gun silencer—context decides.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Studying in a shared flat

  1. ChatPal

    On peut rester silencieux une heure ?

    Can we stay quiet for an hour?

  2. You

    Oui. Je serai silencieux, promis.

    Yes. I'll be quiet, promise.

  3. ChatPal

    Merci. J'ai un oral demain.

    Thanks. I have an oral exam tomorrow.

  4. You

    Courage. Je mets des écouteurs.

    Good luck. I'll put on headphones.

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"Quiet" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Quiet" in French

Silencieux or calme?

Silencieux = little noise; calme = peaceful/calm.

Feminine form?

Silencieuse.

How do I say be quiet?

Sois silencieux / tais-toi (blunt) / silence, please.

Pronunciation?

See-lahn-SYUH.

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