French · Travel & Getting Around

"West" in French: ouest

l'ouest

Say it: westmasculine · l'ouestnoun/wɛst/

West in French is l'ouest, masculine. À l'ouest means to the west. L'ouest de la France often means the Atlantic side.

Sunset

Le soleil se couche à l'ouest.
The sun sets in the west.
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How to pronounce ouest

Say it

west

/wɛst/

West-like west, or oo-est. Elision: l'ouest. Soft final t may be light.

"West" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
l'ouestthe west

Direction and region.

à l'ouestto the west / in the west

Location or movement.

ouest dewest of

Before places.

vers l'ouesttoward the west

Travel.

How to use ouest in real life

  1. 1Sunset

    Le soleil se couche à l'ouest.

    The sun sets in the west.

    À l'ouest.

  2. 2Directions

    La plage est à l'ouest de la ville.

    The beach is west of town.

    À l'ouest de.

  3. 3Trip

    On part vers l'ouest demain.

    We're heading west tomorrow.

    Vers l'ouest.

Mistakes English speakers make with ouest

Incorrect: La ouest est venteux.

Correct: L'ouest est venteux.

Ouest is masculine: l'ouest.

Incorrect: À l'west de Nantes.

Correct: À l'ouest de Nantes.

Use ouest.

Good to know

L'Ouest evokes Atlantic coasts, Brittany, and Pays de la Loire. Weather maps mark O for ouest. Wind from the west is vent d'ouest.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing a coastal route

  1. ChatPal

    On vise l'ouest pour la mer ?

    Are we aiming west for the sea?

  2. You

    Oui. Une ville à l'ouest, près de l'océan.

    Yes. A town in the west, near the ocean.

  3. ChatPal

    Alors direction l'ouest dès samedi.

    Then westbound from Saturday.

  4. You

    Parfait. J'apporte les maillots.

    Perfect. I'll bring the swimsuits.

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"West" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "West" in French

How do I say west?

L'ouest.

How do I say to the west?

À l'ouest.

How do I say west of Nantes?

À l'ouest de Nantes.

Is ouest masculine?

Yes: l'ouest.

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