“The” or “The” Wi-Fi: What Should We Say?

Is that an “I” sound? A misunderstanding of the original meaning of the word? Still, many of us prefer to put “wifi” in female form. However, dictionaries agree on this related neologism: “wifi” is masculine.

Anglicism and gender

Generally, the rule is to gender foreign words according to their translation. A date for this Tinder says” A date” not ” A Date” – despite the similarity between the word English ” Date » (A date) and French “Date” (there today’s date).

Where did the word “wifi” come from?

A common misunderstanding is that “WiFi” (or “Wi-Fi”) is short for “”. Reliable wireless service ” (“Reliable Wireless Service”). In this case, it is there Loyalty, right? Well, no, because Wi-Fi never meant it. A word that includes capitals, the name of a product, a trademark registered by its designers for marketing purposes. Of course, there is a play on words with “hi-fi” (“high fidelity” of hi-fi systems). Of course, the slogan ” Reliable wireless service » Used in advertisements, but the name “WiFi” has no specific meaning.

From proper noun to common noun

Like Frigidaire, Bic, and Kleenex, the Wi-Fi brand has typically blended into everyday language to represent technology. So, dictionaries will allow you to write “wifi” or “wi-fi” as you like, but always before “the”.

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