The juicy truth about fruit and their plant names

It’s summer…trees and fruits are producing so much food. And because it may be a topic of your every day conversations, we are going to look at the names of the fruit in French and the tree they come from.

Avez-vous la pêche (Do you have the energy) for this healthy lesson?

What are the names of the fruit trees in French?

Good news! When you know the name of the fruit, you should easily be able to find out the name of the fruit plant. Why? Because we add the same suffix. Of course, there are a few exceptions to make French even more exciting…

First, you should remember that the fruit itself tends to be 80% feminine, hence the “e” ending. However, the plant is masculine with a “ier” ending.

So, this is the seed of the lesson. Now, let’s see it with blooming examples.

Apple and apple tree in French.

Let’s start with the most common fruit on earth: the apple.

In French, you’ll have the following:

• une pomme >>> an apple 
• un pommier >>> an apple tree

How do you say plum in French?

The pronunciation may require some practice because of the “r” and “u” sound. But the rest is exactly the same:

• une prune >>> a plum
• un prunier >>> an plum tree

Nectarine: the same word in English and French.

Lucky you: it’s the same word in both languages!

But the rest is exactly the same:

• une nectarine >>> a nectarine
• un nectarinier >>> an nectarine tree

What is the name of banana in French?

This one is super easy too. Simply switch the final “a” for an “e” and you have the French word:

• une banane >>> a banana
• un bananier >>> an banana tree

How to say cherry in French.

The French word for cherry is interesting because you practice your “e” and the “s” sound in contrast with the “z” one. Indeed, when you have a vowel between and after the “s”, you obtain a “z” sound. One obvious example is : “poisson” (fish) opposed to “poison”(poison)!

• une cerise >>> a cherry
• un cerisier >>> an cherry tree

Mango in French.

Mango in French is almost similar: “mangue”. This word too allows you to practice the “g” and the “gu” sounds. In this sentence you can clearly see that the letter “u” after “g” changes everything: “Je mange une mangue” ( I am eating a mango )

• une mangue >>> a mango
• un manguier >>> an mango tree

Wondering how to say coconut in French?

For once, it’s easier in French because it’s shorter: “coco” is enough.

• une noix de coco >>> a coconut
• un cocotier >>> an coconut tree

You could also say “coco”. For once, it’s easier in French because it’s shorter! Be careful though since “coco” is masculine: Un coco.

Pear tree in French and a fun idiom.

Do you want to say pear in French? It’s “poire”. The tree, therefore, is “un poirier”.

• une poire >>> a pear
• un poirier >>> a pear tree

Let’s have fun with an expression with the word of “poirier”.

• Je fais le poirier >>> I am doing a head stand.

The tricky way to say walnut in French.

Time to raise the level a little. With the following example, there’s a kind of spelling rule. The sound remains “wa”.

• une noix >>> a walnut
• un noyer >>> a walnut tree

As you can see, we drop the “i” for the ending because it’s included in the “y” sound.

Avoid the trap of peach tree in French!

In this case as well, no need of the “i”. No reason…Just be careful with this one.

• une pêche >>> a peach
• un pêcher >>> a peach tree

2 common berries in French.

What we used with trees applied for berries: the fruit is feminine while the plant or bush is masculine:

• une framboise >>> a raspberry
• un framboisier >>> a raspberry bush

• une fraise >>> a strawberry
• un fraisier >>> a strawberry plant

Plant trees in French: a few exceptions to know.

To finish, let’s have a look a the few exceptions.

Why are they different?  NOt only is the fruit masculine but the tree can be the same, regular or irregular:

• un kiwi (a kiwi) >>> un kiwi 
• un citron (a lemon) >>> un citronnier (a lemon tree)
• un abricot (an apricot) >>> un abricotier (an apricot tree)
• un melon (a melon)  >>> un melon  (a melon plant)  
• un raisin blanc (white grapes)  >>> la vigne (a grapevine)
• un kaki (a kaki)  >>> un plaqueminier (a kaki tree) 

What are the names of fruits and their plant in French?

In this lesson, we have prepared the soil so you can find the tree, plant or bush of any French fruit. Naturally, you must know the name of the fruit in the first place. Then add the regular ending of “ier”.

As long as you don’t forget that most fruits are feminine in French and the plant is masculine, you should be fine. Finally, knowing the few exceptions will help you as well.

I hope I did a plum job and you have enjoyed this juicy lesson. Now you shouldn’t be pear-shaped the next time you want to talk about fruits and their corresponding trees. If it’s not the case, feel free to ask me your questions.

What are your favourite fruits?