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French vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "clam" in French?
la palourde
In French, "clam" is la palourde.
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Pronunciation
Pronounced 'pal-oord'. Two syllables, emphasis on the second. The final e is silent.
Grammar notes
Palourde is feminine. Plural: les palourdes. This is the specific term for clam, different from moule (mussel).
Example sentence
La palourde se ferme quand on la touche.
The clam closes when you touch it.
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How to remember la palourde
Palourde sounds exotic compared to English 'clam'. The mouth-filling sound matches the clam's thick shell.
Related words
- clownfish le poisson-clown
- jellyfish la méduse
- lobster le homard
- manatee le lamantin
- octopus la pieuvre
- sea horse l'hippocampe
- seashell le coquillage
- squid le calamar
- whale la baleine
Browse all French words in the glossary.
Questions about la palourde
How do you say "clam" in French?
In French, "clam" is la palourde. It is a noun.
Is la palourde masculine or feminine?
Palourde is feminine. Plural: les palourdes. This is the specific term for clam, different from moule (mussel).
How is la palourde used in a sentence?
Use la palourde as you would use the equivalent noun in English. For example: La palourde se ferme quand on la touche. (The clam closes when you touch it.).
Where can I practice French words for free?
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"Clam" in other languages
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