French · Food & Drink
"Water" in French: eau
l'eau
Water in French is l'eau, a feminine noun said loh. In cafés ask for une carafe d'eau for free tap water. Choose eau plate (still) or eau gazeuse (sparkling) from bottles.
In a restaurant
Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce eau
Say it
loh
/o/
Eau sounds like oh, one pure vowel. The spelling looks long, but you hear only loh with the article. No w sound at the start.
"Water" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'eau | water The basic word; feminine despite looking like a vowel-only noun. | The basic word; feminine despite looking like a vowel-only noun. |
| une carafe d'eau | a jug of tap water Free still water requested in restaurants. | Free still water requested in restaurants. |
| l'eau plate | still water Non-sparkling bottled water. | Non-sparkling bottled water. |
| l'eau gazeuse | sparkling water Also called eau pétillante on some menus. | Also called eau pétillante on some menus. |
How to use eau in real life
- 1In a restaurant
Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
A jug of water, please.
The standard polite request for free tap water.
- 2At a supermarket fridge
Tu préfères l'eau plate ou l'eau gazeuse ?
Do you prefer still or sparkling water?
The usual bottled choice in France.
- 3After sport
J'ai besoin d'eau, j'ai très soif.
I need water, I'm very thirsty.
D'eau after besoin uses the de + eau contraction.
Mistakes English speakers make with eau
Incorrect: Un eau, s'il vous plaît.
Correct: De l'eau / Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
Eau is feminine and uncountable here. Ask for de l'eau or une carafe d'eau, not un eau.
Incorrect: L'eau est bon.
Correct: L'eau est bonne.
Eau is feminine, so adjectives take the feminine form: bonne, froide, gazeuse.
Good to know
French restaurants normally give une carafe d'eau if you ask; you should not be charged for tap water. Bottled brands are common on terraces. In shops, packs of eau plate fill a whole aisle.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering drinks on a sunny terrace in Nice
ChatPal
Vous désirez quelque chose à boire ?
Would you like something to drink?
You
Oui, une carafe d'eau et un thé, s'il vous plaît.
Yes, a jug of water and a tea, please.
ChatPal
Très bien. L'eau arrive tout de suite.
Very good. The water will be right over.
You
Parfait, merci. J'adore l'eau bien fraîche.
Perfect, thanks. I love nice cold water.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Water" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Water" in French
Is eau masculine or feminine?
Feminine: l'eau, de l'eau, une bouteille d'eau. Say l'eau est froide, not froid.
How do I get free water in a restaurant?
Ask for une carafe d'eau. It is normal and expected in France.
What is eau gazeuse?
Sparkling water. Eau plate is still water.
Why is it spelled eau?
Old French spelling. You only pronounce the o sound: loh.
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
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
