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A2 noun 6 min read

caddie

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips caddie in 30 Seconds

Explanation caddie in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'un caddie' is the big metal thing with wheels you use to go shopping in a supermarket. It is a masculine word (un caddie). You use it when you want to buy many things. You might say 'J'ai un caddie' (I have a trolley) or 'Où sont les caddies ?' (Where are the trolleys?). It is a very useful word for basic survival French when you go to a store like Carrefour or Lidl. You should also know that you often need a 'jeton' (a plastic coin) to use one. At this stage, focus on the object and the basic action of shopping.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'caddie' in more descriptive sentences. You can talk about your shopping routine: 'Je remplis mon caddie de légumes et de fruits' (I fill my trolley with vegetables and fruit). You understand that it is a masculine noun and can use it with adjectives like 'plein' (full) or 'vide' (empty). You also learn the social context: in France, you have to return the caddie to the 'abri à caddies' (trolley shelter) to get your coin back. You can handle simple interactions with staff, such as 'Il y a un problème avec les roues de ce caddie'.

At the B1 level, you should be aware of the distinction between 'un caddie' and 'un panier' (a basket). You can describe the process of shopping in more detail, using verbs like 'pousser' (to push) or 'décharger' (to unload). You might use the word in the context of discussing consumer habits or the cost of living. For example, 'Le prix du caddie moyen a augmenté cette année' (The price of the average trolley has increased this year). You are comfortable using the word in both physical and virtual contexts, such as 'ajouter un article au caddie' on a website, though 'panier' is more common online.

At the B2 level, you understand that 'Caddie' is actually a trademarked brand name that has become a generic term in French (an eponym). You can discuss the sociological implications of the 'caddie' in French society—how it represents mass consumption. You might use it in more complex grammatical structures, like 'Bien que le terme officiel soit chariot, tout le monde utilise le mot caddie.' You can also use it metaphorically in discussions about purchasing power ('le pouvoir d'achat') and economic statistics. You are aware of the legal nuances regarding the use of the brand name in professional writing.

At the C1 level, you can use 'caddie' with precision and stylistic flair. You might analyze the word's role in French literature or cinema as a symbol of domesticity or consumerism. You understand the subtle registers: why a journalist might choose 'chariot' for a formal report versus 'caddie' for a human-interest story. You can participate in debates about the environmental impact of large-scale supermarket shopping, using the 'caddie' as a focal point for the discussion on waste and overconsumption. Your vocabulary includes related technical terms like 'roulettes multidirectionnelles' or 'manche ergonomique'.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native command of the word's nuances, including its etymological roots and the legal battles the 'Caddie' company has fought to prevent its name from becoming a generic noun. You can use the word in highly sophisticated metaphors or irony. You might discuss the 'caddie' in the context of urban planning (the design of supermarket layouts) or psychological studies on consumer behavior (the size of the caddie influencing how much people buy). You are also aware of regional variations across the Francophonie where 'chariot' or other terms might be preferred for cultural reasons.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

caddie in 30 Seconds

A 'caddie' is the French word for a shopping trolley/cart, commonly used in supermarkets.
It is a masculine noun (le caddie) and is technically a brand name used generically.
Shoppers usually need a 1 euro coin or a token to unlock a caddie in France.
Common verbs used with it include 'pousser' (push), 'remplir' (fill), and 'vider' (empty).

The word caddie is a fascinating example of how brand names can become genericized within a language. In French, it refers to the metal or plastic trolley used by shoppers to transport their groceries within a supermarket. While the official, more formal term is chariot de supermarché, the vast majority of French speakers use the word caddie in their daily lives. It is an essential part of the modern French consumer experience, symbolizing the weekly trip to the 'hypermarché'.

Daily Shopping: The most common use of the word occurs in the context of grocery shopping. You will hear it when someone needs a coin or a token to unlock one, or when a cashier asks if you have left anything at the bottom of the trolley.
Economic Indicator: In media and news, le panier de la ménagère (the housewife's basket) or le caddie moyen (the average trolley) is often used as a metaphor for the cost of living and inflation.

N'oublie pas de prendre un jeton pour débloquer le caddie avant d'entrer dans le magasin.

Historically, the term comes from the French company 'Ateliers Réunis Caddie', which began manufacturing these trolleys in the mid-20th century. Despite the company's efforts to protect its trademark, the word has seeped into the collective consciousness. It is used across all social strata and is generally considered neutral in register, though it leans toward the informal in very strict linguistic circles. In a cultural context, the 'caddie' represents the post-war shift from small local markets (épiceries) to the massive suburban supermarkets that now dominate the French landscape.

Son caddie était tellement plein qu'il avait du mal à le diriger vers la caisse.

Using caddie correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and the verbs that typically accompany it. As a masculine noun, it is always used with masculine articles: le caddie, un caddie, or ce caddie. It follows standard pluralization rules, becoming les caddies.

Verbs of Movement: Common verbs include pousser (to push), diriger (to steer), and ramener (to bring back). Example: 'Je pousse le caddie pendant que tu cherches le lait.'
Verbs of Content: When talking about the items inside, use remplir (to fill) or vider (to empty). Example: 'Il faut vider le caddie sur le tapis roulant.'

Attention, la roue de ce caddie est bloquée, il ne roule pas droit.

In a sentence, the word often appears with prepositions of place. You put things dans le caddie (in the trolley). You leave the trolley à côté de la caisse (next to the checkout) or sur le parking (in the parking lot). Note that even though the word looks English, you should avoid using it to mean a golf caddy in French unless you are in a very specific sporting context; even then, 'cadet' was historically used, though 'caddie' or 'caddy' is now accepted in golf.

Après avoir payé, elle a rangé ses courses dans des sacs avant de rapporter le caddie.

The word caddie is omnipresent in French daily life, specifically in environments related to mass consumption. If you walk into a Carrefour, Auchan, or Leclerc, you will hear it within minutes. It is the sound of the weekend for many French families—the rattling of the wheels on the tiled floors of the supermarket.

At the Supermarket Entrance: You will hear people asking for change: 'Est-ce que vous auriez une pièce pour le caddie ?' (Do you have a coin for the trolley?).
In the Aisles: Parents often tell their children: 'Ne monte pas dans le caddie !' (Don't climb into the trolley!) or 'Pousse le caddie doucement.'

Madame, vous avez oublié un article au fond de votre caddie.

Beyond the physical store, the word has transitioned into the digital realm. On French e-commerce websites (like Amazon.fr or Fnac.com), the 'shopping cart' icon is frequently labeled as votre panier (your basket), but the action of adding things to a list for later is often colloquially referred to as 'remplir son caddie virtuel'. In news broadcasts, journalists use the 'caddie' as a unit of measurement for purchasing power. When the price of the 'average caddie' increases, it is a lead story on the 8 PM news (le JT de 20h). This highlights the word's status as a symbol of economic health.

English speakers often face a few pitfalls when using the word caddie in French, mostly due to its English origin and its specific usage in France.

Spelling Confusion: In English, 'caddy' (with a 'y') is common. In French, the brand-authorized spelling is 'Caddie' (with 'ie'). While 'caddy' is sometimes seen, 'caddie' is the standard French spelling for the shopping cart.
Gender Errors: Many learners assume that because the word ends in 'ie', it might be feminine (like la boulangerie). This is incorrect. Caddie is masculine: le caddie.

Incorrect: J'ai laissé la caddie dehors.
Correct: J'ai laissé le caddie dehors.

Another mistake is confusing le caddie with le chariot. While they are synonyms, chariot is the generic term and caddie is technically a brand. In formal writing or legal documents, you should use chariot. However, in conversation, using chariot can sometimes sound slightly more formal than necessary. Finally, don't confuse it with une poussette (a stroller/baby carriage), which is for infants, not groceries!

While caddie is the most common term, there are several alternatives depending on the context and the size of the container you are using.

Le Chariot: This is the official, generic name for a supermarket trolley. It is used in signs ('Rangez vos chariots ici') and more formal contexts. It is also the word used for industrial carts or luggage trolleys at the airport (chariot à bagages).
Le Panier: A 'panier' is a basket. In a supermarket, this refers to the handheld basket. If it has wheels and a handle but is smaller than a trolley, it's often called un panier à roulettes.
Le Pousse-pousse: In some parts of the French-speaking world, notably in certain African countries or occasionally in rural France, this term might be used, though it usually refers to a rickshaw or a small handcart.

Si vous n'avez que quelques articles, prenez un panier plutôt qu'un caddie.

In the context of online shopping, le panier is the standard term for the 'cart'. You will rarely see 'votre caddie' on a website like Amazon; it will almost always be 'votre panier'. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right situation—whether you're pushing a physical trolley or clicking through a digital store.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The company Caddie is still active today in Alsace, France. They have fought many legal battles to prevent their name from being used as a generic noun in dictionaries, but they largely lost the battle of public usage.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkædi/

US /ˈkædi/

The stress is on the first syllable: CAD-die.

Rhymes With

paradis samedi midi radis hardi arrondi incendie gourmandise (partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'cad-yay' (confusing it with French verbs ending in -er).
Over-emphasizing the 'ie' like a French 'ie' (which usually sounds like 'ee' anyway, but some learners make it too long).
Using a nasal 'a' (it's a clean 'a' sound).
Pronouncing the 'd' too softly.
Trying to make it sound too French by dropping the 'ie' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like the English word.

Writing 2/5

Need to remember the 'ie' ending instead of 'y'.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

Clear sound, usually used in predictable contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

magasin acheter argent nourriture pousser

Learn Next

rayon caisse ticket de caisse promotion sac réutilisable

Advanced

consommation pouvoir d'achat grande distribution linéaire chaîne d'approvisionnement

Grammar to Know

Gender of English loanwords

Le caddie, le parking, le weekend (usually masculine).

Plural of nouns ending in -ie

Un caddie -> Des caddies (add an -s).

Prepositions with containers

Dans le caddie (inside the trolley).

Agreement of adjectives with masculine nouns

Le caddie est plein (not pleine).

Using 'pour' to indicate purpose

Une pièce pour le caddie.

Examples by Level

Où est le caddie ?

Where is the trolley?

Basic question using 'où est' + masculine noun.

Le caddie est là-bas.

The trolley is over there.

Using 'là-bas' to indicate location.

J'ai un petit caddie.

I have a small trolley.

Adjective 'petit' comes before the noun.

Tu as une pièce pour le caddie ?

Do you have a coin for the trolley?

Informal question with 'tu'.

Le caddie est vide.

The trolley is empty.

Masculine adjective 'vide'.

Je prends un caddie.

I am taking a trolley.

Present tense of 'prendre'.

Regarde le caddie bleu.

Look at the blue trolley.

Color adjective 'bleu' follows the noun.

Il y a des caddies devant le magasin.

There are trolleys in front of the store.

Plural 'des caddies'.

Je remplis le caddie avec des fruits.

I am filling the trolley with fruits.

Verb 'remplir' + 'avec'.

Il pousse le caddie dans le magasin.

He is pushing the trolley in the store.

Present tense of 'pousser'.

Le caddie est trop lourd maintenant.

The trolley is too heavy now.

Adverb 'trop' + adjective 'lourd'.

Elle a oublié son sac dans le caddie.

She forgot her bag in the trolley.

Passé composé of 'oublier'.

Nous devons ramener le caddie au parking.

We must bring the trolley back to the parking lot.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive 'ramener'.

Est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider avec ce caddie ?

Can you help me with this trolley?

Formal question with 'pouvez-vous'.

Le caddie est plein de courses.

The trolley is full of groceries.

Expression 'plein de'.

Il n'y a plus de caddies disponibles.

There are no more trolleys available.

Negation 'ne... plus de'.

Le caddie a une roue qui grince beaucoup.

The trolley has a wheel that squeaks a lot.

Relative clause starting with 'qui'.

J'ai dû abandonner mon caddie car il y avait trop de monde.

I had to abandon my trolley because it was too crowded.

Passé composé with 'devoir' and 'car'.

Videz votre caddie avant de passer à la caisse.

Empty your trolley before going to the checkout.

Imperative form of 'vider'.

Si j'avais un jeton, je pourrais prendre un caddie.

If I had a token, I could take a trolley.

Conditional sentence with 'si' + imperfect.

Le caddie est devenu un symbole de la consommation de masse.

The trolley has become a symbol of mass consumption.

Passé composé of 'devenir'.

Faites attention à ne pas heurter les gens avec votre caddie.

Be careful not to hit people with your trolley.

Negative infinitive 'ne pas heurter'.

On peut souvent trouver des caddies abandonnés dans la rue.

One can often find abandoned trolleys in the street.

Passive-like construction with 'on'.

Elle préfère utiliser un panier plutôt qu'un caddie.

She prefers using a basket rather than a trolley.

Comparison 'plutôt que'.

Le gouvernement surveille l'évolution du prix du caddie moyen.

The government monitors the evolution of the average trolley price.

Abstract use of 'caddie' as an economic indicator.

Bien que pratique, le caddie est souvent difficile à manœuvrer.

Although practical, the trolley is often difficult to maneuver.

Conjunction 'bien que' followed by an adjective.

Il est interdit de sortir le caddie de l'enceinte du magasin.

It is forbidden to take the trolley out of the store premises.

Impersonal construction 'il est interdit de'.

La marque Caddie a lutté pour protéger son nom contre la généricisation.

The Caddie brand fought to protect its name against genericization.

Historical/Legal context.

En période de fêtes, les caddies débordent de produits de luxe.

During the holidays, trolleys overflow with luxury products.

Verb 'déborder' used figuratively.

Certains caddies modernes sont équipés de tablettes tactiles.

Some modern trolleys are equipped with touch tablets.

Passive voice 'sont équipés de'.

Le caddie s'est imposé comme l'outil indispensable du consommateur.

The trolley has established itself as the consumer's essential tool.

Pronominal verb 's'imposer'.

Il a rempli son caddie sans même regarder les étiquettes de prix.

He filled his trolley without even looking at the price tags.

Preposition 'sans' + infinitive.

L'accumulation frénétique d'articles dans son caddie trahissait son anxiété.

The frenetic accumulation of items in her trolley betrayed her anxiety.

Subject-verb agreement with a complex subject.

Le caddie, cet objet banal, recèle pourtant une complexité logistique insoupçonnée.

The trolley, this mundane object, nonetheless conceals an unsuspected logistical complexity.

Apposition and use of 'recèle'.

L'image de ce caddie solitaire sous la pluie évoquait une certaine mélancolie urbaine.

The image of this solitary trolley in the rain evoked a certain urban melancholy.

Literary register.

L'ergonomie du caddie a été pensée pour encourager l'achat impulsif.

The ergonomics of the trolley were designed to encourage impulsive buying.

Passive voice with 'a été pensée'.

On ne saurait dissocier l'essor de la grande distribution de l'invention du caddie.

One cannot separate the rise of mass retail from the invention of the trolley.

Formal 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.

Le caddie est devenu le réceptacle de nos désirs et de nos besoins les plus primaires.

The trolley has become the receptacle of our most primary desires and needs.

Metaphorical usage.

Qu'il soit en plastique ou en métal, le caddie demeure le roi des allées.

Whether it be plastic or metal, the trolley remains the king of the aisles.

Subjunctive 'qu'il soit'.

Il suffit d'observer le contenu d'un caddie pour deviner le mode de vie de son propriétaire.

It is enough to observe the contents of a trolley to guess its owner's lifestyle.

Impersonal 'il suffit de'.

La pérennité de l'usage du terme 'caddie' illustre la puissance de l'antonomase dans la langue française.

The longevity of the use of the term 'caddie' illustrates the power of antonomasia in the French language.

Advanced linguistic terminology.

Sous l'apparente trivialité du caddie se cache une véritable prouesse d'ingénierie industrielle.

Beneath the apparent triviality of the trolley lies a true feat of industrial engineering.

Inversion of subject and verb.

L'obsolescence programmée ne semble guère affecter la structure robuste du caddie traditionnel.

Planned obsolescence seems hardly to affect the robust structure of the traditional trolley.

Use of 'guère' for negation.

Le caddie est le témoin muet des mutations sociologiques de la France périphérique.

The trolley is the silent witness to the sociological mutations of peripheral France.

Metaphorical and sociological context.

Nonobstant les critiques sur la surconsommation, le caddie reste un vecteur de croissance économique.

Notwithstanding criticisms of overconsumption, the trolley remains a vector of economic growth.

Use of the formal preposition 'nonobstant'.

L'automatisation des entrepôts pourrait, à terme, sonner le glas du caddie tel que nous le connaissons.

The automation of warehouses could, eventually, sound the knell for the trolley as we know it.

Idiomatic expression 'sonner le glas'.

L'appropriation lexicale du mot caddie par le grand public a mis à mal les stratégies juridiques de la firme éponyme.

The lexical appropriation of the word 'caddie' by the general public has undermined the legal strategies of the eponymous firm.

Complex noun phrases.

L'alignement des caddies dans le crépuscule du parking conférait au lieu une atmosphère quasi surréaliste.

The alignment of the trolleys in the twilight of the parking lot gave the place an almost surreal atmosphere.

Evocative literary description.

Common Collocations

remplir son caddie

pousser le caddie

jeton de caddie

vider le caddie

caddie plein

caddie vide

roue de caddie

abri à caddies

fond du caddie

faire son caddie

Common Phrases

Faire un caddie

— To do a large grocery shop. It implies filling the trolley completely.

On va faire un gros caddie ce samedi.

Un caddie de courses

— A trolley full of groceries. A standard way to describe the object and its purpose.

Elle est revenue avec un énorme caddie de courses.

Lâcher le caddie

— To stop shopping or to let go of the trolley. Can be literal or metaphorical.

Lâche le caddie deux minutes, je reviens.

Le caddie de la ménagère

— A traditional term referring to the standard weekly grocery purchase.

Le prix du caddie de la ménagère est en hausse.

Mettre dans le caddie

— To add an item to the shopping cart.

Mets ça dans le caddie, s'il te plaît.

Rapporter le caddie

— To return the trolley to its station after use.

N'oublie pas de rapporter le caddie pour récupérer la pièce.

Un caddie virtuel

— An online shopping cart. Used in digital contexts.

J'ai dix articles dans mon caddie virtuel.

Bloquer un caddie

— To lock a trolley (with a chain) or to have it get stuck.

Il faut une pièce pour débloquer le caddie.

Abandonner son caddie

— To leave a trolley somewhere it shouldn't be.

Certains clients abandonnent leur caddie sur le parking.

Le caddie moyen

— The average shopping cart contents/cost used in statistics.

Le montant du caddie moyen a augmenté de 5%.

Often Confused With

caddie vs cadet

A younger sibling or a military trainee. Sounds slightly similar but unrelated.

caddie vs cadeau

A gift. People sometimes mix up the first syllable.

caddie vs poussette

A baby stroller. Both are pushed, but they carry different things!

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir le caddie bien rempli"

— To be well-off or to have plenty of resources. Often used during the holidays.

Cette année, ils ont le caddie bien rempli pour Noël.

informal

"Pousser son caddie"

— To go about one's business or to live one's daily life. A metaphor for the routine of life.

Chacun pousse son caddie comme il peut.

metaphorical

"Vider son caddie"

— To vent or to tell everything on one's mind. (Less common, but used figuratively).

Elle a profité de la réunion pour vider son caddie.

slang

"Un caddie percé"

— A metaphor for someone who spends money very quickly (playing on 'panier percé').

C'est un vrai caddie percé, il achète tout ce qu'il voit.

informal

"Être au bout du caddie"

— To be at the end of a long shopping trip or, figuratively, to be exhausted.

Après trois heures de courses, je suis au bout du caddie.

informal

"Mettre la charrue avant le caddie"

— A modern twist on 'putting the cart before the horse'. To do things in the wrong order.

Tu mets la charrue avant le caddie avec ce projet.

humorous

"Faire déborder le caddie"

— To be the last straw or to exceed a limit. Similar to 'the straw that broke the camel's back'.

Cette dernière dépense a fait déborder le caddie.

informal

"Le caddie de la discorde"

— A shopping trip that leads to an argument, often between couples.

Leur week-end a commencé par le caddie de la discorde au supermarché.

journalistic

"Avoir un caddie d'avance"

— To be well-prepared or to have stocks of things.

Avec toutes ces promotions, elle a un caddie d'avance.

informal

"Ne pas avoir inventé le caddie"

— To not be very bright. A variation of 'not having invented gunpowder'.

Lui, on peut dire qu'il n'a pas inventé le caddie.

slang

Easily Confused

caddie vs chariot

They mean the same thing.

'Chariot' is the generic term; 'Caddie' is the popular brand name used as a noun.

Le panneau indique : 'Rangez vos chariots'.

caddie vs panier

Both used for shopping.

A 'panier' is a basket (handheld); a 'caddie' is a trolley (on wheels).

Je n'ai pas besoin d'un caddie, un panier suffit.

caddie vs caddy (golf)

Same origin.

In French, 'caddie' almost always means the shopping cart. For golf, 'cadet' was used, though 'caddy' is now common.

Le caddy porte les clubs de golf.

caddie vs transpalette

Both used in stores.

A 'transpalette' is a pallet jack used by staff; a 'caddie' is for customers.

L'employé utilise un transpalette.

caddie vs cabas

Used for shopping.

A 'cabas' is a large shopping bag, usually reusable.

Je mets mes courses dans mon cabas.

Sentence Patterns

Où est le [noun] ?

Où est le caddie ?

Je [verb] le caddie.

Je pousse le caddie.

Il faut [verb] le caddie.

Il faut vider le caddie.

Le caddie est [adjective] de [noun].

Le caddie est plein de légumes.

Bien que [adjective], le caddie [verb].

Bien que lourd, le caddie roule bien.

L'usage du caddie [verb] [concept].

L'usage du caddie reflète la société.

Est-ce que vous avez [noun] ?

Est-ce que vous avez un jeton pour le caddie ?

Après avoir [verb], j'ai [verb] le caddie.

Après avoir payé, j'ai ramené le caddie.

Word Family

Nouns

caddie (the trolley)

chariot (the generic term)

cadet (historical origin in golf)

Verbs

caddeier (rare/neologism: to use a trolley)

charioter (to transport via cart)

Adjectives

caddiable (rare: something that can fit in a trolley)

supermarché

hypermarché

courses

jeton

rayonnage

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and economic discussions.

Common Mistakes

La caddie → Le caddie
The word is masculine, despite the 'ie' ending which is often feminine in French.
Using 'caddy' for a golf person in a supermarket. → Using 'caddie' for the cart.
While they share an origin, in French, the supermarket cart is the primary meaning of the word.
Je mets le bébé dans le caddie (without seat). → Je mets le bébé dans le siège du caddie.
For safety and clarity, specify the seat part of the trolley.
Spelling it 'cadie'. → Caddie
The double 'd' is essential as it is a loanword/brand name.
Confusing 'caddie' with 'cadet'. → Caddie
'Cadet' means youngest or a trainee, very different meaning.

Tips

Gender Tip

Always use masculine articles. 'Le caddie' is your best friend. Don't let the 'ie' ending trick you into thinking it's feminine!

The Jeton

Always keep a plastic 'jeton' or a 1 euro coin in your car's glove box. You'll feel very French when you use it to unlock your caddie.

Chariot vs Caddie

If you see the word 'chariot' on a sign, it's just the formal version of 'caddie'. They are interchangeable in 99% of situations.

Clear Vowels

Make sure the 'a' is short and the 'ie' is a sharp 'ee' sound. Avoid making it sound like 'caddy' with an American 'r' sound if you're trying for a French accent.

Bottom Level

Don't forget the 'fond du caddie'. This is where French people put heavy items like packs of water or milk.

Brand Awareness

Knowing that 'Caddie' is a brand will help you understand why it's capitalized in some texts and not in others.

Virtual Cart

When shopping online in French, look for the 'panier' icon. It's the same concept as the 'caddie' but for the web.

Helping Out

If someone asks for a 'pièce' near the caddies, they are looking for a coin to unlock one. It's a common small interaction.

Metaphors

Use 'le caddie' when talking about the cost of living. It makes you sound more like a native speaker who follows the news.

Not a Stroller

Never use 'caddie' to refer to a baby stroller. That is always 'une poussette'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a golf 'caddy' carrying clubs, but in France, he's carrying your groceries in a metal cart. 'Caddie' carries the food!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant metal 'C' on wheels. The 'C' stands for 'Caddie' and 'Cart'.

Word Web

Supermarché Courses Jeton Roulettes Métal Pousser Remplir Caisse

Challenge

Next time you go shopping, try to name ten items you would put in your caddie in French.

Word Origin

The word 'caddie' entered the French language in the 1950s. It was originally the name of a company, 'Les Ateliers Réunis', which registered the trademark 'Caddie'. The name itself was inspired by the English word 'caddy' used in golf.

Original meaning: In English, a 'caddy' was a person who carried a golfer's clubs, or a small box for tea. In French, it was repurposed specifically for the supermarket trolley.

Germanic (via English) into Romance (French).

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but be aware that using brand names as generic nouns is a point of legal contention for companies.

In the UK, it's a 'trolley'. In the US, it's a 'cart'. In French, it's 'caddie'.

The movie 'Le Grand Bazar' featuring supermarket scenes. Sociological studies by Pierre Bourdieu on consumption. The brand 'Caddie' itself, which is a French industrial icon.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the supermarket

Où sont les caddies ?
Il faut un jeton.
Le caddie est bloqué.
Remplir le caddie.

In the parking lot

Ramène le caddie.
Laisse le caddie ici.
Il y a des caddies partout.
L'abri à caddies.

Online shopping

Ajouter au caddie.
Mon caddie est vide.
Valider le caddie.
Caddie virtuel.

Talking about economy

Le prix du caddie.
Un caddie moyen.
Le panier/caddie de la ménagère.
Inflation du caddie.

With children

Assieds-toi dans le caddie.
Ne lâche pas le caddie.
Pousse le caddie doucement.
Le caddie pour enfants.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu préfères utiliser un caddie ou un panier quand tu fais tes courses ?"

"Où est-ce que tu ranges tes jetons pour le caddie d'habitude ?"

"As-tu déjà eu un caddie avec une roue qui ne marchait pas du tout ?"

"Trouves-tu que les caddies sont trop grands dans certains supermarchés ?"

"Est-ce que tu rapportes toujours ton caddie à sa place ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre expérience habituelle au supermarché en utilisant le mot 'caddie'.

Que pensez-vous du fait que les caddies sont de plus en plus grands ? Est-ce pour nous faire acheter plus ?

Imaginez une journée dans la vie d'un caddie abandonné sur un parking.

Racontez une fois où vous avez oublié quelque chose d'important dans votre caddie.

Le caddie est-il un symbole de progrès ou de surconsommation selon vous ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is masculine. You say 'le caddie' or 'un caddie'. Even though it ends in 'ie', it does not follow the common feminine pattern.

Yes, in most supermarkets, the caddies are chained together. You need a 1 euro coin, a 2 euro coin, or a plastic token (un jeton) to release one.

'Caddie' is a brand name that became a common word, like 'Kleenex'. 'Chariot' is the official generic term. Both are understood perfectly.

In French, the most common and standard spelling is 'caddie', which matches the brand name.

Yes, but 'panier' (basket) is much more common on French e-commerce websites. Some people still say 'remplir mon caddie' figuratively.

It's a sociological and economic term referring to the typical weekly shopping contents of a household, often used to talk about inflation.

Not at all. 'Caddie' is the standard word used by almost everyone in conversation. 'Chariot' can even sound a bit too formal in a casual setting.

You can say: 'Est-ce que je pourrais avoir un jeton pour le caddie, s'il vous plaît ?' at the welcome desk.

Yes, most caddies have a fold-down seat for a small child. It is called 'le siège enfant du caddie'.

Yes, you can push it to the parking lot to unload your groceries, but you are expected to return it to a designated station afterwards.