renne

reindeer

noun REN Rare

Origin: Old Norse hreinn (reindeer)

Usage Note

Renne is always masculine in French despite ending in -e. It refers to both wild caribou and semi-domesticated reindeer herded by the Sami people of Scandinavia and Russia. In French popular culture, le renne is associated with the Christmas sleigh legend (les rennes du Père Noël). The species is Rangifer tarandus in zoology.

Examples

"Le renne tire le traîneau dans la neige."

Natural Translation

The reindeer pulls the sled through the snow.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Filler Words: Euh, Bah, Du Coup, Quoi

French filler words like euh, bah, du coup, and quoi make you sound fluent, not lazy. Learn what each one does, where it goes, and how to use them naturally.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read