cosmonaute

cosmonaut

noun koz-moh-NOHT Rare

Origin: Russian 'kosmonavt', from Greek 'kosmos' + 'nautes' (sailor)

Usage Note

Cosmonaute is the French term specifically for a Russian or Soviet space traveller, mirroring the English 'cosmonaut'. An American space traveller is un astronaute. The word is gender-neutral in usage — une cosmonaute for a woman, same form. French speakers often use astronaute more generically.

Examples

"Le cosmonaute a passé six mois à bord de la station spatiale."

Natural Translation

The cosmonaut spent six months aboard the space station.

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