Published May 12, 2024 • Updated October 3, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Roi meaning
Roi (m.) is a French noun meaning “king.” It refers to a male monarch who rules a kingdom, but it can also be used more broadly for someone or something considered the most important or dominant in a particular area. The feminine form is reine (queen).
Roi pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of roi is /ʁwa/, which sounds approximately like “rwah.” Pronunciation tip: The r is the French guttural sound made toward the back of the throat, while oi is pronounced /wa/. Say it as one smooth syllable, not like “roy” or “row-ee.”
Example sentences
Louis XIV est le roi français le plus célèbre.
Louis XIV is the most famous French king.
Le roi règne sur tout le royaume.
The king reigns over the entire kingdom.
Il y a quatre rois dans un paquet de cartes.
There are four kings in a deck of cards.
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🪶 Word origin
The Modern French masculine noun roi (king) comes from Middle French roy, which developed from Old French rei, ultimately from the Latin rex (king, ruler).
🔗 Related words and expressions
- le monarque — monarch
- le royaume — kingdom
- le souverain / la souveraine — sovereign
- l’empereur / l’impératrice — emperor / empress
- le prince / la princesse — prince / princess
- la reine — queen
- le palais — palace
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