trottinette

/tʁɔ.ti.nɛt/
nounBeginner
informal

A small, lightweight vehicle with two or three wheels and a handlebar, typically propelled by pushing off the ground with one foot while the other rests on a platform.

Les enfants adorent faire de la trottinette dans le parc.

Children love riding kick scooters in the park.

💡

Commonly used for personal transportation or recreation, especially in urban areas.

Collocations

faire de la trottinetteto ride a kick scootertrottinette électriqueelectric scooter

Synonyms

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Urban Areas

In many cities, trottinettes (kick scooters) are popular for short-distance travel and are often rented through shared mobility services.

📖Word Origin

From French 'trotter' (to trot) + diminutive suffix '-ette', referring to a small vehicle for trotting.

📝Usage Notes

The term 'trottinette' is commonly used in French-speaking countries, while 'kick scooter' is the standard term in English-speaking regions. In some contexts, 'trottinette' may refer specifically to non-motorized scooters, whereas 'scooter' can include motorized versions.

Word Breakdown

trotter
to trot (move at a fast walking pace)
root
+
-ette
small or diminutive form
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais