A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Fire" in French
Shout 'Au feu !' to alert others to a fire emergency in France. It means 'Fire!' and is the standard urgent call.
Au feu !
oh fuhcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Yell this phrase at the top of your lungs if you see flames or smoke. It's the universal signal to get everyone's attention and evacuate immediately.
Alternatives
- Il y a le feu !More descriptive, meaning 'There is a fire!'
- À l'aide !Use this if you need help for any reason, not just fire.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'feu'
The 'eu' sound is like the 'u' in 'fur', not like 'foo' or 'fay'.
Saying 'le feu'
'Au feu !' is the established emergency cry, not 'le feu !'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What is the French word for fire?
The most common word for fire is 'feu'. However, in an emergency, you'll use the specific cry 'Au feu !'.
How do I call firefighters in France?
Dial 18 for the fire brigade (pompiers). For general emergencies, 112 is the European emergency number.
Is 'Au feu !' always used for fire?
Yes, 'Au feu !' is the standard and universally understood alarm for fire in France.
What is the word for fire in French?
The most common word for fire in French is 'feu'. It is pronounced like 'fuh'.
How do you say fire in French slang?
There isn't a widely used slang term for 'fire' that directly translates. 'Feu' is used in most contexts, even informal ones.
What is 'flame' in French?
The word for 'flame' in French is 'flamme'. It is pronounced similarly to the English word.
How do you say 'wildfire' in French?
A wildfire in French is called 'incendie de forêt'. 'Incendie' means fire or blaze, and 'forêt' means forest.
