In French, the United Kingdom is referred to as “Royaume-Uni”. This is the official translation and is used in both formal and informal contexts. The term “Royaume” translates to “kingdom,” and “Uni” means “united,” so “Royaume-Uni” literally means “United Kingdom.”
When speaking about the United Kingdom in everyday conversation, you might say something like “Je viens du Royaume-Uni”, meaning “I come from the United Kingdom.” Another common phrase is “Le Royaume-Uni est une monarchie constitutionnelle,” meaning “The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.”
In casual or abbreviated contexts, French speakers sometimes just refer to it as “le UK”, pronounced the same way as in English, particularly when the context is clear.
Additionally, you may hear the term “Grande-Bretagne” used, but it specifically refers to the island that includes England, Scotland, and Wales, not the entire United Kingdom, which also includes Northern Ireland. Therefore, “Royaume-Uni” is the more accurate term when talking about the whole country.
Overall, “Royaume-Uni” is the standard and widely accepted way to say “United Kingdom” in French.