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quadruplé

B2 noun 13 min read

quadruplé

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips quadruplé in 30 Seconds

Explanation quadruplé in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'quadruplé' is quite advanced and not typically taught. However, you might encounter it if you are learning about numbers and family. Think of it as a special version of the number 'quatre' (four). If you see four babies born at the same time, they are called 'des quadruplés'. You don't need to use this word often, but it is good to recognize the 'quadr-' part, which always means four. For example, 'un carré' has four sides. Just remember: one baby is a 'bébé', but one of four babies born together is a 'quadruplé'. It is a very rare and special word for a very rare and special family event.

At the A2 level, you are expanding your vocabulary about families and descriptions. You know 'frère' (brother) and 'soeur' (sister). A 'quadruplé' is a brother or sister who was born on the same day as three other siblings from the same mother. In French, we say 'il est un quadruplé' or 'elle est une quadruplée'. Notice the extra 'e' for a girl. You might also hear this word on the news if something amazing happens in sports. If a player scores four goals, that is also 'un quadruplé'. It is a noun, so you use it with 'un', 'une', 'le', or 'la'. It is more specific than just saying 'quatre enfants'.

At the B1 level, you should be able to understand 'quadruplé' in context, especially in newspaper articles or TV reports. You are moving beyond basic family terms. You can now distinguish between 'jumeaux' (twins), 'triplés' (triplets), and 'quadruplés' (quadruplets). You should also be aware that 'quadruplé' is a noun, while 'quadruple' (without the accent) is an adjective meaning 'four times'. For example, 'le quadruple de dix est quarante' (four times ten is forty). If you are talking about a person, always use the 'é' at the end. This level requires you to start using the word in simple descriptions of family structures or sports achievements.

At the B2 level, 'quadruplé' is a word you should use with precision. You understand that it has two main meanings: a biological one (one of four siblings) and a sports one (four goals/points). You should be comfortable with the gender agreement: 'un quadruplé' for a boy, 'une quadruplée' for a girl, and 'un quadruplé' for the sports feat regardless of the athlete's gender. You can use it in complex sentences, such as 'Ayant grandi en tant que quadruplée, elle a développé un sens aigu de la collectivité.' You also know the difference between 'quadruplé' and the technical mathematical term 'quadruplet'. This word helps you sound more like a native speaker when discussing specific news or sports events.

At the C1 level, you use 'quadruplé' with total ease and understand its nuances in different registers. You might use it metaphorically in a professional context, though this is rare (e.g., 'un quadruplé de victoires législatives'). You are also aware of the medical implications often associated with the term, such as 'grossesse multiple' or 'fiv' (IVF) which often leads to the birth of 'quadruplés'. You can discuss the social and economic impact on a family having 'des quadruplés'. Your pronunciation is perfect, making sure the 'u' and the 'é' are distinct and clear. You can also compare it to other terms like 'quartet' or 'quadrige' to show your deep understanding of French roots.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'quadruplé' and its place in the French language. You can appreciate the word's etymology from the Latin 'quadruplus' and how it fits into the system of French numeration for multiples. You can engage in high-level debates about the ethics of fertility treatments that result in 'quadruplés' or analyze sports journalism where 'le quadruplé' is used to elevate a player to legendary status. You notice when the word is used creatively in literature or advanced journalism to describe any set of four closely linked entities. You are also aware of the very rare feminine form 'quadruplée' and use it correctly in all written and spoken contexts without hesitation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

quadruplé in 30 Seconds

A 'quadruplé' is one of four siblings born together.
It also means scoring four goals in a sports match.
The feminine form for a person is 'une quadruplée'.
It is a rare but precise term for intermediate learners.

The French noun quadruplé (masculine) or quadruplée (feminine) primarily refers to one of four children born at the same birth. In a biological context, it describes an individual member of a set of quadruplets. While the occurrence of quadruplets is naturally rare, the term is essential in medical, demographic, and human-interest storytelling. When you are discussing a family that has had four babies at once, you refer to the group as les quadruplés. It is important to note that the term functions both as a noun for the person and, in a different context, as a noun for a specific achievement.

Biological Context: In biology and medicine, a quadruplé is the result of a pregnancy where four embryos develop simultaneously. This can happen naturally through the splitting of a single fertilized egg (monozygotic) or the fertilization of four separate eggs (polyzygotic), or a combination thereof. In modern French, you will often hear this in news reports about fertility treatments, as the likelihood of multiple births increases with such interventions.

Elle a donné naissance à un petit garçon qui est le troisième quadruplé de la fratrie.

Beyond the nursery, the word quadruplé has a very prominent second meaning in the world of sports, particularly in football (soccer). When a player scores four goals in a single match, French commentators and journalists call this feat un quadruplé. This usage is arguably more frequent in daily media than the biological one. If Kylian Mbappé scores four times, the headlines will scream: "Le quadruplé historique de Mbappé !" This dual meaning requires learners to pay close attention to the context of the conversation.

Sports Context: A series of four successes in a row, most commonly four goals in a game. It follows the sequence: doublé (2), triplé (3), quadruplé (4), quintuplé (5).

L'attaquant a réalisé un quadruplé exceptionnel lors de la finale régionale.

Sociologically, being a quadruplé carries a specific connotation of shared identity. In French culture, multiple births are often treated with a mix of fascination and administrative concern, as the state provides specific subsidies and support for large families through the Allocations Familiales. When a family welcomes des quadruplés, it is common for the local mayor to visit or for the event to be featured in the local press, emphasizing the rarity and the logistical challenge of raising four children of the same age simultaneously.

Social Context: Used in family law and social services discussions regarding support for multiple-birth households.

En tant que quadruplée, Marie a toujours partagé sa chambre avec ses trois sœurs.

To summarize, while you might not use quadruplé every day, it is a high-frequency term in specific domains: medicine, sports, and human interest news. Its structure follows the Latin-based numerical system used for multiples in French, making it part of a logical family of words that any B2 learner should recognize to navigate diverse media sources effectively.

Using quadruplé correctly involves understanding its role as a count noun and its agreement in gender and number. Because it refers to a person, it must agree with the gender of the individual being described. If you are talking about one boy among four siblings born together, he is un quadruplé. If it is one girl, she is une quadruplée. This distinction is vital in French, where gender is pervasive. When referring to the entire set, the masculine plural les quadruplés is the default unless the group is exclusively female.

Subject Position: The word can serve as the subject of a sentence, often followed by verbs related to birth, growth, or identity.

Chaque quadruplé possède un caractère bien distinct malgré leur ressemblance physique.

In the sports context, the noun is almost always masculine because it refers to the achievement (the 'act' of scoring four times) rather than the person. You would say il a marqué un quadruplé. Note the use of the verb marquer (to score) or réaliser (to achieve/realize). It is rarely used as an adjective in this sense; you wouldn't say "un match quadruplé," but rather "un quadruplé dans un match." This subtle difference helps distinguish the 'event' of the goals from the 'identity' of the siblings.

Object Position: When used as a direct object, it typically follows verbs like 'avoir' (to have) or 'voir' (to see).

L'hôpital a accueilli un quadruplé pour la première fois en dix ans.

For learners at the B2 level, it is useful to practice quadruplé in complex sentences involving relative pronouns. For example, "L'enfant, qui est un quadruplé, a dû rester en observation." Here, the noun provides essential information about the subject. You can also use it in prepositional phrases: "Elle est la mère de quadruplés." Notice that in the phrase "mère de quadruplés," we often omit the article des to focus on the category of the children, though "la mère des quadruplés" (the mother of the specific quadruplets) is also correct depending on the specificity required.

Prepositional Usage: Often follows 'de' to indicate relationship or composition.

La probabilité d'avoir un quadruplé naturellement est extrêmement faible.

Finally, consider the register. While quadruplé is a standard, neutral term, in very informal speech, people might simply say "ils sont quatre" (there are four of them). However, to be precise about the shared birth, quadruplé remains the only appropriate choice. In professional medical reports, you might see the phrase "grossesse quadruple" (quadruple pregnancy), but the individuals resulting from it are always les quadruplés.

You are most likely to encounter the word quadruplé in three specific environments: the evening news, the sports pages of newspapers like L'Équipe, and in medical or scientific documentaries. Because multiple births are rare, they are frequently newsworthy. A headline might read: "Naissance rare à Lyon : des quadruplés en parfaite santé." In these instances, the word is used to evoke a sense of wonder and to highlight the logistical feat of the medical team involved. You will hear doctors or parents using the term to describe the unique bond between the siblings.

News Media: Used in human-interest stories to describe rare family events.

Le reportage suivait le quotidien d'un quadruplé fêtant ses dix-huit ans.

In the context of sports, un quadruplé is a term of high praise. You will hear it in stadiums and on sports talk shows. When a striker is having an incredible game, the commentator might build tension as the player scores their second (doublé) and third (triplé) goals. When the fourth goal goes in, the word quadruplé is shouted with excitement. This usage has permeated general French culture to the point where it can sometimes be used metaphorically for any four-fold achievement, though this is less common than the literal sports meaning.

Sports Commentary: A standard term for scoring four goals in football, rugby, or similar sports.

Après son quadruplé, le joueur a été ovationné par tout le stade.

In a medical setting, you will hear obstetricians and midwives use the term during consultations. They might discuss the risks associated with a grossesse de quadruplés. Here, the tone is clinical and serious. In these conversations, the word is often grouped with its siblings: jumeaux (twins) and triplés (triplets). Understanding the hierarchy of these terms (doublé/jumeau, triplé, quadruplé, quintuplé, sextuplé) is essential for following medical or demographic discussions in French.

Clinical Setting: Used by healthcare professionals to categorize multiple gestations.

Le médecin a confirmé qu'il s'agissait d'un quadruplé après l'échographie du deuxième mois.

Lastly, you might hear this word in casual conversation if someone is describing a very busy or repetitive situation, although this is figurative. For example, "C'est un quadruplé de problèmes !" (It's a four-fold set of problems!). While less common than the literal meanings, it shows the versatility of the word in expressing the concept of 'four of a kind'.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with quadruplé is confusing it with the adjective quadruple. In English, the word "quadruple" can be an adjective, a verb, or part of a noun phrase. In French, quadruple (without the accent) is an adjective meaning "four times as much" (e.g., "une dose quadruple"). The noun quadruplé (with the accent) refers specifically to the person or the set of four goals. Mixing these up can lead to sentences that sound very strange to a native ear.

Spelling and Accents: Forgetting the acute accent (é) on the final 'e' turns the noun into an adjective, changing the meaning entirely.

Faux : C'est un enfant quadruple. (Wrong)
Vrai : C'est un enfant quadruplé. (Correct)

Another common pitfall is the gender agreement. Since quadruplé refers to a person, it must follow the gender of that person. Many learners forget to add the extra 'e' for a female quadruplet: une quadruplée. While the pronunciation remains the same in most dialects, the written form is essential for grammatical accuracy. Conversely, when referring to the sports achievement (scoring four goals), the noun is always masculine (un quadruplé), regardless of the gender of the athlete. A female footballer still scores un quadruplé, not une quadruplée.

Gender Confusion: Using 'un' for a girl or 'une' for a sports feat are common mistakes for intermediate learners.

Elle a réalisé un quadruplé (four goals) vs Elle est une quadruplée (she is a quadruplet).

Misunderstanding the plural usage is also frequent. In English, we say "she is one of the quadruplets." In French, you can say "elle est l'une des quadruplées" or "c'est une quadruplée." Learners often try to use the word as a collective noun in the singular (like "a litter" or "a set"), but un quadruplé refers to the individual. To refer to the set of four as a single unit, you would use une naissance quadruple or simply les quadruplés.

Collective vs. Individual: Remember that the noun usually designates the individual person, not the group as a single entity.

Les quadruplés sont arrivés au monde à sept mois de grossesse.

Finally, be careful with the verb quadrupler. While it is related, it means "to quadruple" in size or quantity. You cannot use it to describe the act of giving birth to quadruplets (for that, you use accoucher de quadruplés). Using the verb in the wrong context is a classic B2-level error that reveals a lack of nuance in word family application.

To master the use of quadruplé, it is helpful to place it within its linguistic family of multiple births and numerical achievements. The most common related words are jumeau/jumelle (twin), triplé (triplet), and quintuplé (quintuplet). Interestingly, French uses a different root for "twins" (jumeaux, from Latin gemellus) than it does for triplets and above, which use the numerical roots (tri-, quadru-, quintu-). This can sometimes confuse learners who expect a word like "doublé" for twins, but doublé is only used in sports or general success contexts.

Comparison: Jumeau vs. Quadruplé: Jumeau is the specific word for one of two. Quadruplé follows the pattern for three or more. You wouldn't call a twin a 'doublé' in a biological sense.

Contrairement aux jumeaux, les quadruplés sont très rares sans assistance médicale.

In terms of alternatives, if you find the word quadruplé too technical or if you've forgotten it, you can use descriptive phrases. For example, "un des quatre enfants nés ensemble." In sports, instead of un quadruplé, you might hear un coup de quatre, although this is much less formal and less common in professional commentary. For very large sets, French continues the pattern: sextuplé (6), septuplé (7), and octuplé (8), though these are naturally extremely rare.

Comparison: Quadruplé vs. Quadruple: Quadruplé is a noun (the person/the feat). Quadruple is an adjective (the multiplier). You have a quadruple portion, but you are a quadruplé.

Le prix a été quadruplé (verb/past participle) en un mois seulement.

Another word that occasionally causes confusion is quadrimestre (a period of four months) or quadriennal (happening every four years). While they share the 'quadri-' prefix, they are strictly time-related. For a B2 student, building a mental map of these 'quadri-' words is a great way to expand vocabulary systematically. Understanding that quadruplé belongs to the 'human/achievement' branch of this family will help you choose the right word in high-pressure speaking situations.

Comparison: Quadruplé vs. Quatre: Quatre is the number. Quadruplé is the specific identity of being one of four born together. You can have four children who are not quadruplets.

Ils sont quatre frères, mais aucun n'est un quadruplé.

In conclusion, while quadruplé is the most precise term, your choice of synonyms or alternatives will depend entirely on whether you are discussing a family, a football match, or a mathematical set. By mastering this word, you demonstrate a high level of linguistic nuance and an ability to handle specific, technical categories of French vocabulary.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'quadruplé' in sports only became popular in the 20th century with the rise of professional football journalism. Before that, it was almost exclusively a biological or mathematical term.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kwa.dʁy.ple/

US /kwa.dʁu.ple/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'plé'.

Rhymes With

triplé doublé couplé peuplé décuplé soufflé clé été

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'qua' as 'kwa-dra' instead of 'kwa-dry'.
Using the English 'u' sound instead of the French 'u'.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'é' clearly.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'quadruple' (silent 'e').
Mixing up the 'r' sound with a rolled 'r' if not comfortable with French 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'quad-' prefix, but context is needed to distinguish between biology and sports.

Writing 4/5

Requires careful attention to the accent and feminine agreement.

Speaking 5/5

The 'u' and 'é' sounds in sequence can be challenging for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, though fast speech might blur it with 'quadruple'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

quatre jumeau triplé naissance but

Learn Next

quintuplé sextuplé quadrupler grossesse fratrie

Advanced

quadruplet (math) polyzygote monozygote obstétrique tétralogie

Grammar to Know

Gender agreement for nouns referring to people

Un quadruplé (boy), une quadruplée (girl).

Use of 'de' instead of 'des' after a negation

Ils n'ont pas eu de quadruplés.

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'é'

Un quadruplé -> des quadruplés (just add 's').

Adjective vs Noun distinction with accents

Quadruple (adj) vs Quadruplé (noun).

Preposition 'de' with multiple births

Une naissance de quadruplés (no article after 'de' in general category).

Examples by Level

Il y a quatre bébés : ce sont des quadruplés.

There are four babies: they are quadruplets.

Plural noun 'quadruplés' used with the verb 'être'.

Ma voisine a un petit garçon quadruplé.

My neighbor has a little boy who is a quadruplet.

Using 'quadruplé' as a noun to identify the child.

Regarde les quadruplés dans la poussette !

Look at the quadruplets in the stroller!

Definite article 'les' with plural noun.

Un quadruplé, c'est un enfant de quatre.

A quadruplet is one child out of four.

Simple definition structure.

Elle est une quadruplée très mignonne.

She is a very cute quadruplet.

Feminine form 'quadruplée' with 'une'.

Les quadruplés dorment ensemble.

The quadruplets are sleeping together.

Subject-verb agreement.

C'est le premier quadruplé de la famille.

It's the first quadruplet of the family.

Ordinals with 'quadruplé'.

J'aime les histoires de quadruplés.

I like stories about quadruplets.

Preposition 'de' indicating the subject.

Le joueur de foot a marqué un quadruplé hier soir.

The soccer player scored four goals last night.

Sports context: 'un quadruplé' means four goals.

Elle est née quadruplée dans un grand hôpital.

She was born a quadruplet in a large hospital.

Past participle 'née' followed by the noun of identity.

Les quadruplés ont tous le même âge, bien sûr.

The quadruplets are all the same age, of course.

Using 'tous' for emphasis with the plural.

Est-ce que tu connais un quadruplé ?

Do you know a quadruplet?

Interrogative sentence with 'connaître'.

Le journal parle d'un nouveau quadruplé à Paris.

The newspaper is talking about a new set of quadruplets in Paris.

Preposition 'de' after 'parler'.

C'est difficile de s'occuper de quadruplés.

It is difficult to take care of quadruplets.

Infinitive phrase with 's'occuper de'.

Chaque quadruplé a reçu un cadeau différent.

Each quadruplet received a different gift.

'Chaque' followed by singular noun.

Ma sœur est une quadruplée, mais nous ne nous ressemblons pas.

My sister is a quadruplet, but we don't look alike.

Contrastive sentence with 'mais'.

La probabilité d'avoir un quadruplé sans traitement est faible.

The probability of having quadruplets without treatment is low.

Abstract noun 'probabilité' with 'avoir'.

Il a réalisé un quadruplé en seulement vingt minutes de jeu.

He achieved a four-goal haul in only twenty minutes of play.

Verb 'réaliser' is common for sports feats.

Devenir parent de quadruplés change radicalement la vie.

Becoming a parent of quadruplets radically changes life.

Infinitive as subject.

Elle se sent unique, même si elle est une quadruplée.

She feels unique, even though she is a quadruplet.

Conjunction 'même si' for concession.

Les médecins surveillent de près la santé de chaque quadruplé.

Doctors closely monitor the health of each quadruplet.

Adverbial phrase 'de près'.

L'attaquant a été la star du match grâce à son quadruplé.

The striker was the star of the match thanks to his four goals.

Prepositional phrase 'grâce à'.

Il n'est pas facile de distinguer un quadruplé d'un autre.

It is not easy to distinguish one quadruplet from another.

Verb 'distinguer ... de ...'.

La famille a dû acheter une voiture plus grande pour les quadruplés.

The family had to buy a larger car for the quadruplets.

Modal verb 'devoir' in the past.

L'annonce d'un quadruplé a suscité une grande émotion dans le village.

The announcement of quadruplets sparked great emotion in the village.

Verb 'susciter' used with abstract emotion.

Bien qu'elle soit une quadruplée, elle a toujours cherché à se démarquer.

Although she is a quadruplet, she has always sought to stand out.

Subjunctive 'soit' after 'bien que'.

Le record du club a été battu par ce quadruplé historique.

The club record was broken by this historic four-goal feat.

Passive voice 'a été battu'.

Il est rare qu'un quadruplé survive sans complications médicales autrefois.

It was rare for a quadruplet to survive without medical complications in the past.

Subjunctive 'survive' after 'il est rare que'.

La gestion quotidienne d'un quadruplé demande une organisation militaire.

The daily management of quadruplets requires military-like organization.

Noun 'gestion' with 'demander'.

Chaque quadruplé possède son propre code génétique s'ils sont faux.

Each quadruplet has their own genetic code if they are fraternal.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Le commentateur s'est époumoné lors du quatrième but, criant au quadruplé.

The commentator shouted his lungs out during the fourth goal, crying out 'quadruplé'.

Present participle 'criant'.

Elle a écrit un livre sur son expérience en tant que mère de quadruplés.

She wrote a book about her experience as a mother of quadruplets.

Phrase 'en tant que' (as a).

L'incidence des quadruplés a augmenté avec le recours à la procréation assistée.

The incidence of quadruplets has increased with the use of assisted reproduction.

Technical term 'incidence' and 'recours à'.

Ce quadruplé retentissant a propulsé le jeune attaquant sur le devant de la scène.

This resounding four-goal haul propelled the young striker into the spotlight.

Metaphorical 'devant de la scène'.

Il est fascinant d'observer la synchronie comportementale chez un quadruplé.

It is fascinating to observe the behavioral synchrony in quadruplets.

Formal structure 'Il est [adj] de [inf]'.

La scolarisation d'un quadruplé pose des défis logistiques non négligeables.

The schooling of quadruplets poses significant logistical challenges.

Adjective 'non négligeable' for emphasis.

Elle refuse d'être définie uniquement par son statut de quadruplée.

She refuses to be defined solely by her status as a quadruplet.

Passive infinitive 'être définie'.

Le film explore les tensions identitaires au sein d'un quadruplé d'exception.

The film explores identity tensions within an exceptional set of quadruplets.

Prepositional phrase 'au sein de'.

Réussir un quadruplé dans une compétition internationale est un exploit rare.

Succeeding in a four-goal feat in an international competition is a rare exploit.

Gerund-like use of infinitive at start.

Les aides de l'État pour un quadruplé sont souvent jugées insuffisantes par les parents.

State aid for quadruplets is often judged insufficient by parents.

Agreement of past participle 'jugées' with 'aides'.

L'éthique médicale s'interroge sur la réduction embryonnaire lors d'une grossesse de quadruplés.

Medical ethics questions embryonic reduction during a quadruplet pregnancy.

Reflexive verb 's'interroger sur'.

L'œuvre se structure comme un quadruplé de sonates, chacune répondant à l'autre.

The work is structured as a quartet of sonatas, each responding to the other.

Metaphorical use of 'quadruplé' for a set of four artistic works.

L'attaquant, par son quadruplé, a réduit au silence ses détracteurs les plus virulents.

The striker, through his four-goal haul, silenced his most virulent detractors.

Idiomatic 'réduire au silence'.

L'individualisation au sein d'un quadruplé s'avère être un processus psychologique complexe.

Individualization within quadruplets proves to be a complex psychological process.

Verb 's'avérer être'.

Le destin de ce quadruplé, séparé à la naissance, a fait l'objet d'un documentaire poignant.

The fate of these quadruplets, separated at birth, was the subject of a poignant documentary.

Phrase 'faire l'objet de'.

La rareté statistique d'un quadruplé naturel en fait un cas d'étude pour les généticiens.

The statistical rarity of natural quadruplets makes it a case study for geneticists.

Pronoun 'en' referring back to the rarity.

Elle a ressenti un vide immense lorsque son frère, un quadruplé, a déménagé à l'étranger.

She felt an immense void when her brother, a quadruplet, moved abroad.

Apposition 'un quadruplé' to provide detail.

Le quadruplé de victoires de l'écurie cette saison témoigne d'une domination sans partage.

The team's four-fold victory streak this season testifies to an unchallenged dominance.

Noun 'domination' with adjective 'sans partage'.

Common Collocations

naissance de quadruplés

marquer un quadruplé

vrais quadruplés

faux quadruplés

grossesse de quadruplés

réaliser un quadruplé

élever des quadruplés

frère quadruplé

sœur quadruplée

un quadruplé de buts

Common Phrases

C'est un quadruplé.

— Used to identify one person as a quadruplet or a feat as a four-goal haul.

Regarde ce joueur, c'est son deuxième quadruplé cette année.

Accoucher de quadruplés.

— To give birth to four babies at once.

Elle a accouché de quadruplés ce matin.

L'un des quadruplés.

— One of the set of four.

L'un des quadruplés est déjà rentré à la maison.

Un quadruplé inédit.

— A four-fold achievement never seen before.

Le champion a réussi un quadruplé inédit de titres mondiaux.

Mère de quadruplés.

— A mother who has quadruplets.

Être mère de quadruplés est un travail à plein temps.

Le quadruplé gagnant.

— A set of four winning elements (often in horse racing or gambling).

Il a trouvé le quadruplé gagnant au quinté.

Un petit quadruplé.

— Affectionate way to refer to one of the babies.

Viens voir ce petit quadruplé qui sourit.

Série de quadruplés.

— A sequence of several sets of quadruplets (rare).

L'hôpital a connu une série de quadruplés cet été.

Vivre comme un quadruplé.

— To live the specific life of being one of four siblings.

Vivre comme un quadruplé, c'est ne jamais être seul.

Signer un quadruplé.

— To 'sign' or achieve a four-goal haul.

L'avant-centre a signé un quadruplé magistral.

Often Confused With

quadruplé vs quadruple

The adjective meaning 'four times as much'. Does not have an accent.

quadruplé vs quadruplet

A technical mathematical or computer science term. Not used for people in French.

quadruplé vs quatuor

A musical quartet or a group of four people working together, but not siblings.

Idioms & Expressions

"Monter les marches quatre à quatre"

— To go up stairs very quickly, taking four at a time. While not using the word 'quadruplé', it uses the same numerical concept.

Il était tellement pressé qu'il a monté les marches quatre à quatre.

informal

"Un quadruplé d'enfer"

— An amazing set of four (usually goals or successes).

Il nous a sorti un quadruplé d'enfer en deuxième mi-temps !

slang

"Couper les cheveux en quatre"

— To split hairs; to be overly pedantic. (Related to the number four).

Ne commence pas à couper les cheveux en quatre pour ce détail.

neutral

"Être tiré à quatre épingles"

— To be dressed very neatly. (Related to the number four).

Pour le mariage, il était tiré à quatre épingles.

neutral

"Se mettre en quatre"

— To go out of one's way to help someone. (Related to the number four).

Elle s'est mise en quatre pour nous accueillir.

neutral

"Un quadruplé de choc"

— A powerful or surprising set of four.

L'équipe a présenté un quadruplé de choc pour la défense.

informal

"Faire le quadruplé"

— To win four major trophies or titles in one season.

Le club rêve de faire le quadruplé cette année.

sports

"Un quadruplé historique"

— A set of four that will be remembered forever.

Ce quadruplé restera dans les annales du club.

formal

"Quatre yeux voient mieux que deux"

— Two heads are better than one (literally: four eyes see better than two).

Aide-moi à relire, quatre yeux voient mieux que deux.

neutral

"Dire ses quatre vérités"

— To tell someone some home truths (tell them exactly what you think).

Je vais lui dire ses quatre vérités.

informal

Easily Confused

quadruplé vs quadruple

Visual similarity and English cognate.

Quadruple is an adjective or multiplier. Quadruplé is a noun for a person or a sports feat.

Une dose quadruple (adj) vs Il est un quadruplé (noun).

quadruplé vs quadrupler

It is the verb form.

Quadrupler is the action of multiplying by four. Quadruplé is the result or the person.

Son salaire a quadruplé (verb) vs Il a marqué un quadruplé (noun).

quadruplé vs triplé

Same category of word.

Triplé is for three, quadruplé is for four.

Il a fait un triplé, pas un quadruplé.

quadruplé vs quartet

English speakers use 'quartet' for groups.

Quartet is rare in French (usually quatuor) and never used for siblings.

Le quatuor (not quadruplé) joue du Mozart.

quadruplé vs cadre

Phonetic similarity for beginners.

Cadre means frame or executive. Quadruplé is about the number four.

Un cadre en bois vs Un enfant quadruplé.

Sentence Patterns

C'est un/une [noun].

C'est un quadruplé.

Il a marqué un [noun].

Il a marqué un quadruplé.

Il est difficile de [verb] des [noun].

Il est difficile de s'occuper de quadruplés.

En tant que [noun], [clause].

En tant que quadruplée, elle est habituée à partager.

L'incidence de [noun] [verb].

L'incidence des quadruplés augmente chaque année.

[Noun] de [noun] témoigne de [abstract noun].

Ce quadruplé de victoires témoigne d'une grande maîtrise.

C'est l'un des [noun].

C'est l'un des quadruplés.

Ayant [past participle] un [noun], [clause].

Ayant marqué un quadruplé, le joueur était ravi.

Word Family

Nouns

quadruplé (the person/feat)

quadruplée (the female person)

quadruplement (the act of quadrupling - rare)

quadruple (the adjective/multiplier)

Verbs

quadrupler (to quadruple, to multiply by four)

Adjectives

quadruple (four-fold)

quadriennal (four-yearly)

quadrillé (checkered)

quatre

quatrième

quadrilatère

quadrige

quatuor

How to Use It

frequency

Rare in general conversation, high in sports and specialized news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'quadruplet' for a child. → Un quadruplé.
In French, 'quadruplet' is a technical term for a set of four items in math/CS, not for a human sibling.
Writing 'un quadruplé' for four goals by a woman. → Un quadruplé.
The sports feat is always masculine 'un quadruplé', regardless of the athlete's gender.
Forgetting the accent: 'un quadruple'. → Un quadruplé.
Without the accent, it's the adjective 'quadruple' (four-fold).
Liaison in 'les quadruplés'. → No liaison (/le kwa.dy.ple/).
The word starts with a consonant sound /k/, so no liaison is made with the article.
Using 'quadrupler' to mean 'to give birth to four'. → Accoucher de quadruplés.
'Quadrupler' means to multiply a quantity by four, not the biological act of birth.

Tips

Watch the Accents

Always include the accent on the 'é'. Without it, 'quadruple' is a different word (an adjective). This is a common mistake in written exams.

Sports Lingo

If you follow French football, learn this word along with 'doublé' and 'triplé'. It's essential for understanding match reports.

Social Support

In France, families with 'quadruplés' are often called 'familles nombreuses' and get a special card for discounts on trains and museums.

The 'U' Sound

The French 'u' is produced by saying 'eee' with your lips rounded like you're saying 'ooo'. Mastering this makes 'quadruplé' sound natural.

Individual vs Group

Remember that 'un quadruplé' is one person. To talk about the whole group, you use the plural 'les quadruplés'.

Feminine Agreement

Don't forget the extra 'e' for 'quadruplée'. It's a small detail that shows high proficiency in French grammar.

Context Clues

If you hear 'quadruplé' in a news broadcast, listen for words like 'maternité' or 'stade' to immediately know the topic.

Numerical Roots

Connect 'quadru-' to other words like 'quadrilatère' (4 sides) or 'quadrillage' (grid) to solidify the meaning of 'four'.

Natural Speed

In fast speech, the 'u' can be subtle. Don't over-emphasize it to the point of breaking the flow of the sentence.

Word Families

Learn 'quadrupler' (verb) and 'quadruple' (adj) at the same time to understand how the root 'quadru-' moves through parts of speech.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Quad' (four) + 'u' + 'plé' (like a 'play' of four goals). Or, imagine four babies on a 'quad' bike.

Visual Association

Visualize a soccer scoreboard changing from 3 to 4, or a giant stroller with four identical hats sticking out.

Word Web

quatre jumeau triplé quintuplé quadrupler quadruple quadruplet quatuor

Challenge

Try to say 'Le quadruplé a marqué un quadruplé' (The quadruplet scored four goals) five times fast without tripping over the 'u' sound.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'quadruplus', meaning 'fourfold'. The French suffix '-é' is added to create the noun designating the individual or the specific achievement.

Original meaning: Four times as much or a set of four.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.

Cultural Context

When discussing multiple births, be aware that it can be a sensitive medical topic for some families due to the risks involved.

In English, we use 'quadruplet' for the person and 'four goals' for the feat. French uses 'quadruplé' for both, which can be confusing for English speakers who expect two different words.

The Dionne quintuplets (though they are 5, they are the most famous multiple birth reference in Francophone history). Robert Lewandowski's famous quadruplé (and more) in 2015. The 'Quadruplets of Belleville' (Les Triplettes de Belleville) - note the difference in number, but same category of naming.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Sports News

Auteur d'un quadruplé
Réaliser le quadruplé
Un quadruplé retentissant
Signer un quadruplé

Family/Human Interest

Mère de quadruplés
L'un des quadruplés
Élever des quadruplés
Des quadruplés identiques

Medical

Grossesse de quadruplés
Accouchement de quadruplés
Suivi des quadruplés
Quadruplés prématurés

General Conversation

C'est un quadruplé !
Comme des quadruplés
Frère quadruplé
Sœur quadruplée

School/Genetics

Cas de quadruplés
Gènes des quadruplés
Étude sur les quadruplés
Ressemblance des quadruplés

Conversation Starters

"As-tu déjà rencontré un quadruplé dans ta vie ?"

"Que ferais-tu si tu apprenais que tu allais avoir un quadruplé ?"

"Quel est le quadruplé le plus célèbre de l'histoire du foot selon toi ?"

"Est-il plus difficile d'élever un quadruplé ou quatre enfants d'âges différents ?"

"Aimerais-tu être un quadruplé et avoir trois frères ou sœurs identiques ?"

Journal Prompts

Imagine que tu es un quadruplé. Décris une journée typique avec tes trois autres frères ou sœurs.

Écris un article de journal sur un joueur qui vient de marquer un quadruplé en finale de la Coupe du Monde.

Réfléchis aux défis logistiques (voiture, maison, école) pour une famille accueillant un quadruplé.

Penses-tu que les quadruplés devraient être dans la même classe à l'école ou séparés ? Pourquoi ?

Décris le lien spécial qui pourrait exister entre les membres d'un quadruplé.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while its primary biological definition refers to one of four children born together, it is very frequently used in sports (especially football) to mean scoring four goals in a single match. You must look at the context to know which one is meant.

You say 'Elle est une quadruplée'. Note the feminine article 'une' and the feminine spelling with an extra 'e' at the end of 'quadruplée'.

Usually, for animals, French uses the term 'portée' (litter) or simply says 'quatre petits'. 'Quadruplé' is almost exclusively reserved for humans or sports achievements.

'Quadruple' is an adjective or noun meaning 'four times as much' (e.g., a quadruple espresso). 'Quadruplé' is a noun referring to the person (a quadruplet) or the act of scoring four goals.

It is better not to. While 'quadruplet' exists in French dictionaries, it is a technical term used in mathematics or computer science. Using it for a person will sound like a literal translation from English and may confuse native speakers.

Use 'des quadruplés' if the group contains at least one boy, or if the gender is unknown. Use 'des quadruplées' only if all four children are girls.

Naturally, the birth of quadruplets occurs in approximately 1 in 700,000 births. This rarity is why the word often appears in news headlines.

Technically, it can function as a past participle used as an adjective (meaning 'quadrupled'), but as a term for a person, it is strictly a noun.

The sequence is: doublé (2), triplé (3), quadruplé (4), quintuplé (5), sextuplé (6), septuplé (7), octuplé (8), nonuplé (9), décuplé (10).

No, there is no liaison between 'les' and 'quadruplés' because 'quadruplés' starts with a consonant sound (/k/). You pronounce it /le kwa.dy.ple/.