French words ending in -ix are uncommon. Most nouns ending in -ix are masculine, but some important exceptions are feminine. The ending -ix does not reliably show the gender of a noun, so learners should usually learn each noun together with its article. The ending also appears in some place names, such as Aix-en-Provence and Chamonix.

The gender of nouns ending in -ix

Most French nouns ending in -ix are masculine.

Common masculine nouns include:

• un prix – “a price”
• un choix – “a choice”
• un poids – “a weight”
• un crucifix – “a crucifix”
• un phénix – “a phoenix”

However, some common nouns ending in -ix are feminine.

Important feminine examples include:

• la paix – “peace”
• une croix – “a cross”

Because both masculine and feminine nouns exist, the ending alone cannot be used to predict gender.

The origin of -ix words

Many French words ending in -ix come from older French forms influenced by Latin spelling. The final x was often kept even after pronunciation changed.

For example:

• Latin pacem became Old French pais, then modern French paix
• Latin pretium became Old French pris, then modern French prix

In many cases, the final x was once linked to sounds that disappeared over time. Today, it often remains only as a spelling marker.

Pronunciation of -ix nouns

In most common nouns ending in -ix, the final x is silent.

Examples:

• Un prix élevé peut surprendre. – “A high price can be surprising.”
• Un choix difficile demande du temps. – “A difficult choice takes time.”
• La paix est importante. – “Peace is important.”

The ending is usually pronounced like the sound ee.

Common masculine nouns ending in -ix

Un prix

Un prix means “a price.” It can also mean an award or prize.

Examples:

• Le prix de cette voiture est trop élevé. – “The price of this car is too high.”
• Elle a gagné un prix littéraire. – “She won a literary award.”
• Les prix augmentent chaque année. – “Prices increase every year.”

Un choix

Un choix means “a choice.”

Examples:

• J’ai fait un choix difficile. – “I made a difficult choice.”
• Nous avons plusieurs choix possibles. – “We have several possible choices.”
• Le choix dépend de la situation. – “The choice depends on the situation.”

Un crucifix

Un crucifix means “a crucifix,” a representation of Jesus on the cross.

Examples:

• Un crucifix est accroché au mur. – “A crucifix is hanging on the wall.”
• Le crucifix est un symbole religieux. – “The crucifix is a religious symbol.”

Un phénix

Un phénix means “a phoenix,” a mythical bird.

Examples:

• Le phénix renaît de ses cendres. – “The phoenix rises again from its ashes.”
• Le phénix symbolise la renaissance. – “The phoenix symbolises rebirth.”

Common feminine nouns ending in -ix

La paix

La paix means “peace.” It is one of the most common French nouns ending in -ix.

Examples:

• La paix est essentielle pour un pays. – “Peace is essential for a country.”
• Après la guerre, le pays a retrouvé la paix. – “After the war, the country found peace again.”
• Les accords de paix ont été signés. – “The peace agreements were signed.”

Une croix

Une croix means “a cross.”

Examples:

• Il porte une croix autour du cou. – “He wears a cross around his neck.”
• Elle a dessiné une croix sur le papier. – “She drew a cross on the paper.”
• La Croix-Rouge aide les victimes. – “The Red Cross helps victims.”

Place names ending in -ix

Some well-known French place names end in -ix. Their pronunciation does not always follow the pattern of ordinary nouns.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France.

It is pronounced:

• Aix-en-Provence – “Ex-en-Provence”

Unlike ordinary nouns such as prix and choix, the final x is pronounced. This comes from the historical pronunciation of the place name, which preserved the sound of the old ending.

Examples:

• J’habite à Aix-en-Provence. – “I live in Aix-en-Provence.”
• Nous visitons Aix-en-Provence cet été. – “We are visiting Aix-en-Provence this summer.”
• Aix-en-Provence est connue pour ses fontaines. – “Aix-en-Provence is known for its fountains.”

Chamonix

Chamonix is a town in the French Alps, famous for skiing and mountain sports.

It is pronounced:

• Chamonix – “Sha-mo-nee”

The final x is silent because the modern pronunciation of the name comes from an older local form in which the final consonant was not pronounced. The spelling was later standardised in French, but the pronunciation did not change.

Examples:

• Chamonix est une ville célèbre des Alpes. – “Chamonix is a famous town in the Alps.”
• Nous allons à Chamonix en hiver. – “We are going to Chamonix in winter.”
• Chamonix attire des visiteurs du monde entier. – “Chamonix attracts visitors from all over the world.”

Plural forms of nouns ending in -ix

Most nouns ending in -ix keep the same spelling in the plural.

Examples:

• Un prix, des prix – “A price, prices”
• Un choix, des choix – “A choice, choices”
• Une croix, des croix – “A cross, crosses”

Some nouns, such as paix, are usually used in the singular because peace is normally treated as an idea rather than a countable object.

Examples:

• La paix mondiale est difficile à atteindre. – “World peace is difficult to achieve.”
• Les traités de paix ont été signés. – “Peace treaties were signed.”

Related words

Some words related to -ix nouns have different endings.

Examples:

• Un choix, choisir – “A choice, to choose”
• Un poids, peser – “A weight, to weigh”
• La paix, paisible – “Peace, peaceful”

How to learn words ending in -ix

Since the ending -ix does not clearly show gender, learn common nouns with their articles.

Useful examples:

• Learn un prix rather than only prix.
• Learn un choix rather than only choix.
• Learn la paix rather than only paix.
• Learn une croix rather than only croix.

The most useful everyday nouns ending in -ix are:

• un prix – “a price”
• un choix – “a choice”
• la paix – “peace”
• une croix – “a cross”

Summary

• French words ending in -ix are uncommon.
• Most nouns ending in -ix are masculine.
• Important feminine examples include la paix and une croix.
• The final x is usually silent in common nouns.
• Place names may follow different historical pronunciation patterns.
• Aix-en-Provence pronounces the final x, while Chamonix does not.
• The safest method is to learn each noun with its article.