When you're at a French restaurant and see «canard» on the menu, you'll know it refers to duck. It's a common dish, especially «confit de canard» (duck confit).
However, «canard» has another interesting meaning. It can also refer to a 'hoax' or 'false rumor'. So, if someone says «C'est un canard!» they might not be talking about the animal, but about something untrue.
You might also hear expressions like «faire un canard» which means to hit a wrong note, especially in music, or to make a blunder.
It's a versatile word, so pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is being used!
When you hear the word "canard," your first thought is probably of the animal, the duck. And you'd be right! "Un canard" is indeed a duck. You might see ducks swimming in a pond, or even find duck on a menu in a French restaurant (like "magret de canard").
However, "canard" has a less literal, more idiomatic meaning that's good to know, especially at a C1 level. It can also refer to a false rumor, a hoax, or fake news. Think of it as something that's been "fed" to people, but isn't true. So, if someone says "C'est un canard!" they might not be talking about a bird, but about a piece of information that's completely untrue.
Exemplos por nível
Le canard nage dans l'eau.
The duck swims in the water.
Simple present tense.
J'aime voir les canards au parc.
I like to see the ducks at the park.
Definite article 'les' for plural.
C'est un petit canard jaune.
It is a small yellow duck.
Adjective placement after the noun.
Le canard fait 'coin coin'.
The duck says 'quack quack'.
Onomatopoeia for duck sound.
Mon chien court après le canard.
My dog runs after the duck.
Preposition 'après' means 'after'.
Nous mangeons du canard pour le dîner.
We eat duck for dinner.
Partitive article 'du' for 'some'.
Il y a deux canards sur l'étang.
There are two ducks on the pond.
'Il y a' means 'there is/are'.
Le canard dort sous l'arbre.
The duck sleeps under the tree.
Preposition 'sous' means 'under'.
Le canard nage sur l'étang.
The duck swims on the pond.
Simple present tense.
J'ai vu un canard avec ses petits.
I saw a duck with its ducklings.
Passé composé.
Le canard sauvage est difficile à approcher.
The wild duck is difficult to approach.
Adjective agreement.
Elle a nourri les canards dans le parc.
She fed the ducks in the park.
Passé composé with direct object.
On entend le canard cancane.
We hear the duck quack.
Reflexive verb 'entendre'.
Le chef prépare un plat de canard rôti.
The chef is preparing a roasted duck dish.
Present tense with 'de' for composition.
Les canards volent en formation V.
The ducks fly in a V formation.
Present tense.
Il y a un canard en plastique dans la baignoire.
There is a plastic duck in the bathtub.
Preposition 'dans'.
Les canards nagent paisiblement sur l'étang du jardin public.
The ducks are swimming peacefully on the public garden pond.
Here, 'canards' is plural and refers to the animal.
J'ai commandé un canard à l'orange au restaurant, c'était délicieux.
I ordered duck with orange sauce at the restaurant, it was delicious.
In this context, 'un canard' refers to the dish, specifically duck meat.
Il a raconté une histoire un peu canard, personne n'y a cru.
He told a rather 'ducky' (unbelievable/fishy) story, nobody believed it.
This is an idiomatic expression: 'une histoire canard' means a strange or unbelievable story.
Attention, ne marche pas dans les crottes de canard près de la rivière.
Be careful, don't step in the duck droppings near the river.
Here, 'canard' is used to specify the origin of the droppings.
Le journaliste a sorti un canard sur l'affaire, mais ce n'était pas très fiable.
The journalist published a 'duck' (unreliable newspaper/rumor) about the case, but it wasn't very reliable.
Another idiom: 'un canard' can mean an unreliable newspaper or a false rumor.
Elle a un peu de canard dans sa démarche après être tombée.
She has a bit of a 'duck' (waddle) in her walk after falling.
This refers to the waddling gait of a duck, used metaphorically.
Mon petit canard, viens ici que je te fasse un câlin.
My little duck (term of endearment), come here so I can give you a hug.
'Mon petit canard' is a common term of endearment, similar to 'sweetheart' or 'honey'.
Ils ont acheté un canard en plastique pour le bain de leur enfant.
They bought a plastic duck for their child's bath.
This refers to a toy duck.
Le chef a préparé un canard à l'orange, un classique de la cuisine française.
The chef prepared an orange duck, a classic of French cuisine.
Canard à l'orange is a common French dish.
Elle a nourri les canards du lac avec du pain rassis.
She fed the ducks in the lake with stale bread.
Here, 'canards' refers to the birds.
Il a raconté une histoire de canard pour amuser les enfants.
He told a tall tale (literally 'duck story') to entertain the children.
'Une histoire de canard' is an idiom meaning a tall tale or made-up story.
Son journal a publié un canard, une fausse nouvelle, qui a créé la controverse.
His newspaper published a false report (literally 'duck'), a fake news story, which created controversy.
In journalism, 'un canard' can refer to a false report or fake news.
Ne te laisse pas avoir par ce canard; c'est un homme peu fiable.
Don't be fooled by this swindler (literally 'duck'); he is an unreliable man.
Colloquially, 'un canard' can mean a swindler or unreliable person.
La balle a ricoché comme un canard sur l'eau.
The ball ricocheted like a flat stone (literally 'duck') on the water.
Here, 'un canard' refers to a flat stone skipping on water.
Il a plongé comme un canard pour récupérer l'objet tombé.
He dived like a duck to retrieve the fallen object.
'Plonger comme un canard' means to dive quickly and efficiently.
Cette nouvelle est un canard; je n'y crois pas un mot.
This news is a hoax (literally 'duck'); I don't believe a word of it.
Similar to 'histoire de canard', it can mean a false rumor or hoax.
Padrões gramaticais
Padrões de frases
Le canard nage.
The duck swims.
J'aime le canard.
I like the duck.
Le canard est grand et blanc.
The duck is big and white.
Nous voyons des canards dans le lac.
We see some ducks in the lake.
Elle a nourri les canards du parc hier.
She fed the ducks in the park yesterday.
Les canards font beaucoup de bruit le matin.
The ducks make a lot of noise in the morning.
On dit que le canard laqué est une spécialité chinoise.
They say Peking duck is a Chinese specialty.
Le chasseur a vu un canard s'envoler de l'eau.
The hunter saw a duck fly up from the water.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Como usar
The word canard is a masculine noun. It refers to a duck, either the animal itself or the meat from a duck. You can use it in phrases like manger du canard (to eat duck) or un canard nage dans l'étang (a duck swims in the pond).
A common mistake is confusing canard with other fowl. Remember it specifically means 'duck.' Also, don't forget its masculine gender when using articles or adjectives: un beau canard (a beautiful duck), not une belle canard.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntas'Un canard' refers to a male duck, while 'une cane' refers to a female duck. It's similar to how we say 'drake' for a male duck and 'duck' for a female in English, though 'duck' is also used as a general term.
Yes, absolutely! When you're talking about duck as food, you'd use 'le canard'. For example, 'J'aime le magret de canard' means 'I like duck breast'.
The 'd' at the end of 'canard' is usually silent. The pronunciation is closer to 'kah-nar'. It's a common pattern in French where the final consonant isn't pronounced.
One common expression is 'un froid de canard', which literally translates to 'a duck's cold' but actually means 'bitterly cold weather'. Another is 'faire un canard', which means to make a mistake or a blunder, especially in music (to hit a wrong note).
To make 'canard' plural, you simply add an 's': 'des canards'. The 's' is silent, so the pronunciation remains the same. For example, 'J'ai vu trois canards sur le lac' (I saw three ducks on the lake).
The word 'canard' comes from the Old French word 'canart', which is thought to be an onomatopoeia, imitating the sound a duck makes ('can-can').
'Canard' is a masculine noun. This is why we use 'un' before it (un canard) and not 'une'.
Yes, in a more informal or even journalistic context, 'un canard' can refer to a newspaper or a tabloid, often with a slightly derogatory connotation, implying it might not be the most serious publication. For example, 'Ce canard publie toujours des fausses nouvelles' (This rag always publishes fake news).
A baby duck in French is called 'un caneton'. It's a diminutive form of 'canard'.
If you want to specify, you can say 'un canard sauvage' for a wild duck or 'un canard domestique' for a domestic duck. Generally, just 'un canard' is sufficient unless you need to be more precise.
Teste-se 42 perguntas
The duck swims in the pond.
I like to see the ducks at the park.
The little duck is yellow.
Read this aloud:
Canard
Focus: The 'ard' sound at the end.
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Un canard
Focus: The liaison between 'un' and 'canard' is not present here.
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
J'ai vu un canard.
Focus: The 'u' sound in 'vu' and the 'an' sound in 'canard'.
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Le ___ nage dans l'étang. (The ___ swims in the pond.)
Here, 'canard' (duck) is the correct animal that swims in a pond.
J'ai vu un ___ avec ses petits. (I saw a ___ with its little ones.)
Ducks are known to have 'petits' (ducklings), so 'canard' fits the context.
Le chasseur a tiré sur un ___. (The hunter shot at a ___.)
Ducks are game birds, so a hunter would typically shoot at a 'canard'.
Elle a nourri le ___ avec du pain. (She fed the ___ with bread.)
It's common to feed ducks bread, making 'canard' the appropriate choice.
J'adore le magret de ___. (I love duck breast.)
'Magret de canard' is a well-known French dish, meaning duck breast.
Le ___ a un cri amusant. (The ___ has a funny cry.)
Ducks make a distinctive 'quack' sound, which can be described as a 'cri amusant' (funny cry).
Choose the correct English translation for 'canard'.
'Canard' means 'duck' in English.
Which of these animals is a 'canard'?
The word 'canard' specifically refers to a duck.
Complete the sentence: 'J'ai vu un ___ dans le lac.' (I saw a ___ in the lake.)
Ducks are commonly found in lakes, making 'canard' the most appropriate word.
The word 'canard' refers to a small bird that sings.
'Canard' refers to a duck, which is a type of bird, but not specifically a small bird known for singing. Ducks typically quack.
If you see a 'canard' in France, you are looking at a duck.
'Canard' is the French word for 'duck'.
You can say 'Je mange du canard' if you are eating chicken.
'Je mange du canard' means 'I am eating duck'. If you are eating chicken, you would say 'Je mange du poulet'.
The duck swims gracefully on the pond.
She ordered duck with orange at the restaurant.
The little ducklings follow their mother in a line.
Read this aloud:
Le canard colvert est très commun en Europe.
Focus: canard, colvert
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
J'adore regarder les canards plonger pour chercher de la nourriture.
Focus: plonger, chercher
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ce canard a des plumes aux couleurs vives.
Focus: plumes, couleurs
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're at a French market. Describe three things you would buy that are related to 'canard' (duck).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Au marché français, j'achèterais du magret de canard pour le dîner, du confit de canard pour une occasion spéciale, et un petit pot de foie gras pour une entrée.
Write a short paragraph about a meal you've had or would like to have that features 'canard' as the main ingredient. Include where you ate it (or would eat it) and with whom.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
J'adorerais manger un bon canard à l'orange dans un restaurant traditionnel français à Paris. Je le mangerais avec ma famille pour célébrer un événement spécial. Ce serait servi avec une sauce délicieuse et des légumes de saison.
You are explaining to a friend what 'canard' means in French. Write a short explanation, including an example sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
En français, 'canard' signifie 'duck' en anglais. C'est un oiseau qui vit souvent près de l'eau. On peut aussi manger de la viande de canard. Par exemple, 'J'ai vu un canard nager dans l'étang.'
Quel est un plat typique du sud-ouest de la France mentionné dans le texte ?
Read this passage:
Le canard est un oiseau aquatique qui vit souvent près des lacs et des rivières. Il est connu pour son cri caractéristique et sa façon de nager élégamment. En cuisine française, le canard est très apprécié pour sa viande savoureuse, notamment le magret de canard et le confit de canard, qui sont des plats typiques du sud-ouest de la France.
Quel est un plat typique du sud-ouest de la France mentionné dans le texte ?
Le passage mentionne le magret de canard et le confit de canard comme des plats typiques du sud-ouest de la France.
Le passage mentionne le magret de canard et le confit de canard comme des plats typiques du sud-ouest de la France.
Pourquoi les fermes en France élèvent-elles des canards ?
Read this passage:
Beaucoup de fermes en France élèvent des canards pour leur viande et pour la production de foie gras. L'élevage de canards est une tradition ancienne dans certaines régions. Ces animaux sont nourris avec soin pour garantir la qualité de leurs produits. Le marché local est souvent un bon endroit pour trouver des produits de canard frais.
Pourquoi les fermes en France élèvent-elles des canards ?
Le texte indique que les canards sont élevés 'pour leur viande et pour la production de foie gras'.
Le texte indique que les canards sont élevés 'pour leur viande et pour la production de foie gras'.
Qui a aidé le petit canard à retrouver sa famille ?
Read this passage:
Une histoire amusante raconte qu'un petit canard s'était perdu de sa famille. Il a voyagé loin, rencontrant de nombreux animaux amicaux. Finalement, avec l'aide d'un gentil chat, il a retrouvé son chemin vers l'étang où sa mère l'attendait. C'était une grande aventure pour un si petit canard.
Qui a aidé le petit canard à retrouver sa famille ?
Le passage indique que 'avec l'aide d'un gentil chat, il a retrouvé son chemin'.
Le passage indique que 'avec l'aide d'un gentil chat, il a retrouvé son chemin'.
Le journaliste a publié un ___ pour dénoncer la corruption.
In journalistic slang, 'un canard' can refer to a newspaper or an article, often implying a sensational or unverified piece of news.
Malgré les rumeurs, l'information sur la démission du ministre s'est avérée être un ___.
Un 'canard' can also mean a false report or an unverified rumor.
Il a versé une petite somme à l'association, juste de quoi payer les ___ de l'imprimante.
In a colloquial sense, 'les canards' can refer to the paper or sheets used for printing, especially in a small-scale context.
Après une longue journée de travail, il aime se détendre dans son bain avec son ___ en caoutchouc.
A 'canard' en caoutchouc is a rubber duck, a common bath toy.
Son nouveau projet, bien qu'ambitieux, risque de faire un ___ si les investisseurs ne suivent pas.
Faire un 'canard' can colloquially mean to fail or to fall flat, especially in reference to a venture.
L'orchestre a joué quelques fausses notes, faisant ainsi quelques ___ dissonants.
In music, un 'canard' refers to a wrong or dissonant note, often played unintentionally.
This sentence describes a duck swimming gracefully on the pond, providing a typical context for the word 'canard'.
This sentence uses 'canard' in the context of a dish, 'magret de canard', which is a common culinary use.
This sentence contrasts 'canard' with 'oie' (goose), helping to differentiate similar birds.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Exemplo
Il y a des canards sur le lac.
Conteúdo relacionado
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de nature
à ciel ouvert
B1Open-air, under the open sky.
à fleur d'eau
B1At water level; just above the surface of the water.
à l'abri de
B1Sheltered from; safe from.
à l'approche de
B1As (something) approaches; nearing.
à l'aube
B1At dawn; at the very beginning of the day.
à l'écart de
B1Away from; apart from.
à l'état sauvage
B1In the wild; in an untamed state.
à l'extérieur de
A2Outside of.
à l'intérieur de
A2Inside of; within.
à pas lents
B1At a slow pace.
