fente
/fɑ̃t/
The French word for chink is fente.
fente refers to a narrow opening or a slit.
Meaning: narrow opening (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/fɑ̃t/
Did you know?
- In French fencing, a fente is the name for a lunging attack where the front leg is extended forward.
- If you refer to a 'chink in one's armor' metaphorically in French, you wouldn't use fente, but would instead talk about a 'faille' or a 'point faible'.
- The phrase fendre le cœur is used to describe something that is 'heartbreaking' or 'heart-rending'.
Examples in context
- L'armure doit bien présenter une fente.There must be a chink in the armour somewhere.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a chink in armour using fente.Tatoeba #10362998 by sacredceltic, translation #10362997 by sacredceltic
- La fente du mur permettait la lumière de filtrer doucement dans la pièce.The crack in the wall allowed the light to filter gently into the room.
- Il y a une crevasse entre les rochers où nous pouvons nous cacher.There is a narrow opening between the rocks where we can hide.
- Attention à la fissure sur le sol, ne posez pas le pied dessus.Watch out for the crack on the floor, don't step on it.
- Il y a une fente dans le mur.There is a chink in the wall.
- La lumière passe par une petite fente.The light comes through a small chink.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are inspecting a wooden fence.
- HugoRegarde cette fente dans le bois.Look at this chink in the wood.
- EmmaElle est assez large, Hugo.It is quite wide, Hugo.
- HugoOn peut voir à travers.We can see through it.
- EmmaC'est très utile pour observer.It is very useful for observing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
