Published August 19, 2024 • Updated July 5, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Eau — Meaning and Pronunciation
Eau is a French feminine noun meaning “water”. You’ll see: l’eau froide (cold water), l’eau chaude (hot water), l’eau gazeuse (sparkling water) and un verre d’eau (a glass of water).
IPA pronunciation of eau is /o/ (IPA), which sounds like “oh”.
Example Sentences
l’eau chaude, l’eau froide
hot water, cold water
Excusez-moi, l’eau chaude ne marche pas !
Excuse me, the hot water isn’t working!
Je voudrais de l’eau s’il vous plaît.
I’d like some water please.
La Badoit, Le Perrier et L’Evian sont des marques d’eau française.
Badoit, Perrier and Evian are brands of French water.
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Related words and expressions
Restaurant phrases
- un verre d’eau — a glass of water
- une bouteille d’eau — a bottle of water
- une carafe d’eau — a carafe of water
Kinds of water
- l’eau plate — still water (not carbonated)
- l’eau gazeuse — sparkling, fizzy or carbonated water
- l’eau pétillante — synonym for gazeuse
- l’eau minérale naturelle — mineral water
- l’eau du robinet — tap water
- l’eau de source — spring water
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