See also:
👉 Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) — Word of the Day »
👉 French Christmas vocabulary (with audio) »
Level A1-A2 (Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is Père Noël, which means Santa Claus and literally “Father Christmas”. In this lesson you’ll discover two more ways to say Santa Claus in French so you can use it naturally this holiday season.
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
📘 Père Noël meaning
Père Noël is the standard French name for Santa Claus, the familiar gift-giving character of Christmas. You’ll hear Père Noël used in holiday greetings, children’s stories, decorations, and everyday December conversation in France. While Père Noël is the most common form, Papa Noël is also widely used, especially by children and in songs. You’ll also hear the name Saint Nicolas in certain regional traditions in northeastern France and Belgium.
🎧 How to pronounce Père Noël in French
👉 The pronunciation of Père Noël is /pɛʁ nɔ.ɛl/ — roughly “pehr no-ell”.
📝 Père Noël example sentences
Le Père Noël est le personnage symbolique de Noël.
Santa Claus is the symbolic character of Christmas.
Est-ce que tes enfants croient encore au Père Noël ?
Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus?
👉 Want more Christmas vocabulary?
See also: Joyeux Noel (merry Christmas) »
🎧 Want to understand real French this Christmas?
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- la hotte du Père Noël — Santa’s sack
- les rennes — reindeer
- le traîneau — sleigh
- les lutins du Père Noël — Santa’s elves
- une lettre au Père Noël — a letter to Santa
- les cadeaux — presents
🔗 More Christmas lessons:
🔤 Word of the Day Christmas Lessons
👉 Joyeux Noël – Merry Christmas
👉 Le sapin de Noël – Christmas Tree
👉 Bonne Année – Happy New Year
👉 French Christmas vocabulary
🎶 Christmas Songs & Culture
👉 French Christmas Songs (full list)
👉 Petit Papa Noël
👉 Douce nuit, sainte nuit
🚀 Continue growing your French vocabulary!
👉 French Word of the Day »
👉 French Vocabulary lists »
👉 French for beginners guide »
👉 French song lyrics hub »
👉 French conjugations hub
