puce
/pys/
The English word 'chip' refers to a thin, crisp, fried piece of potato or vegetable, which in French is puce.
Meaning: thin, crisp, fried piece of potato or vegetable (noun)
Which one should you use?
For a formal or engineering context, the term circuit intégré is used. In Quebec, the term for a computer chip is specifically micropuce.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term micropuce is commonly used to refer to computer chips or microchips.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pys/
Did you know?
- The French word puce literally means 'flea'.
- If you want a potato chip in France, you should ask for chips, as the English word was adopted and remains the standard term for the snack.
- The term marché aux puces refers to a flea market, literally translating to 'market of the fleas'.
Examples in context
- Le dernier modèle d'ordinateur est équipé d'une puce ultra-rapide.The latest computer model is equipped with an ultra-fast chip.
- Les ingénieurs ont conçu un nouveau circuit intégré pour améliorer les performances du système.The engineers designed a new chip to improve system performance.
- J'ai acheté une montre avec une puce électronique intégrée.I bought a watch with a built-in chip.
- Les puces informatiques ont révolutionné l'industrie des ordinateurs.Computer chips have revolutionized the computer industry.
- J'ai besoin d'acheter une nouvelle micropuce pour mon téléphone.I need to buy a new chip for my phone.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are snacking on appetizers.
- EmmaGabriel, goûte cette puce !Gabriel, taste this chip!
- GabrielElle a quel goût, Emma ?What does it taste like, Emma?
- EmmaC'est une puce au vinaigre.It is a vinegar chip.
- GabrielC'est délicieux, merci.It is delicious, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry puce, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
