French · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Rainbow" in French: arc-en-ciel
l'arc-en-ciel
Rainbow in French is l'arc-en-ciel, masculine. Keep the hyphens: arc-en-ciel. Regarde l'arc-en-ciel means look at the rainbow.
After rain
Regarde l'arc-en-ciel au-dessus du toit.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce arc-en-ciel
Say it
lark-ahn-SYEL
/laʁ.kɑ̃.sjɛl/
Arc: ark. En: ahn. Ciel: syel. Together: lark-ahn-SYEL.
"Rainbow" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'arc-en-ciel | the rainbow Default noun. | Default noun. |
| un arc-en-ciel | a rainbow Spotting one. | Spotting one. |
| les couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel | the rainbow colors Kids and art. | Kids and art. |
| après la pluie | after the rain When rainbows appear. | When rainbows appear. |
How to use arc-en-ciel in real life
- 1After rain
Regarde l'arc-en-ciel au-dessus du toit.
Look at the rainbow above the roof.
L'arc-en-ciel.
- 2Photo stop
Un arc-en-ciel double apparaît à droite.
A double rainbow appears on the right.
Un arc-en-ciel.
- 3Kids drawing
Colorie l'arc-en-ciel avec sept couleurs.
Color the rainbow with seven colors.
L'arc-en-ciel.
Mistakes English speakers make with arc-en-ciel
Incorrect: L'arc en ciel (no hyphens).
Correct: L'arc-en-ciel.
Keep the hyphens in arc-en-ciel.
Incorrect: La arc-en-ciel.
Correct: L'arc-en-ciel.
Masculine with elision: l'arc-en-ciel.
Good to know
French kids learn the rainbow colors early; flags and pride talk also use arc-en-ciel. Weather apps rarely alert for them—people just stop and point.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving a museum into sunshine
ChatPal
Attends… il y a un arc-en-ciel !
Wait… there's a rainbow!
You
Waouh. L'arc-en-ciel est énorme.
Wow. The rainbow is huge.
ChatPal
Prends une photo de l'arc-en-ciel vite.
Take a photo of the rainbow quickly.
You
C'est fait.
Done.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Rainbow" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Rainbow" in French
How do you say rainbow in French?
L'arc-en-ciel.
Does it need hyphens?
Yes: arc-en-ciel.
Is arc-en-ciel masculine?
Yes: un arc-en-ciel.
How do you pronounce arc-en-ciel?
lark-ahn-SYEL.
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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