hacher
/a.ʃe/
The English verb 'to chop' can be translated into French as hacher, découper or couper depending on the context.
Meaning: to cut into pieces (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| hacher | /a.ʃe/ |
| découper | /de.ku.pe/ |
| couper | /ku.pe/ |
Couper is the most general and common way to say to cut or chop. Découper is used when you are cutting something into specific shapes or out of a larger whole.
Which one should you use?
Couper is the most common and general verb for 'to cut' or 'to chop' and is used for everything from cutting hair to cutting wood. Découper is used when the chopping involves cutting out specific shapes or pieces from a larger whole, such as cutting shapes out of paper or slicing a cake.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hacher is considered a rare and formal way to express chopping.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.ʃe/
Did you know?
- The verb hacher shares a common ancestor with the English word 'hack', both originating from the Frankish word *hakkōn.
- The verb couper is used for turning off electricity or water, as in 'cutting the power'.
- The word hacher is the root of the English word 'hash', referring to a dish of chopped meat and vegetables.
Examples in context
- Je vais couper cet arbre.I'm going to chop this tree down.This sentence shows how to use couper in the context of chopping down a tree.Tatoeba #5418900 by Aiji, translation #3502165 by CK
- Il a utilisé la hache pour couper le bois.He used the axe to chop the wood.This sentence shows how to use couper when using an axe to chop wood.Tatoeba #12186554 by lbdx, translation #12180776 by sundown
- Tu devrais utiliser une hache pour couper du bois.You should use an axe to chop wood.This sentence shows how to use couper when suggesting the use of an axe to chop wood.Tatoeba #11236271 by lbdx, translation #8910472 by sundown
- trancher les légumesChop the vegetables
- Tranchez les oignons en petits morceaux.Chop the onions into small pieces.
- Coupez les pommes de terre en morceaux avant de les cuire.Chop the potatoes into pieces before cooking them.
- Il est préférable de couper en morceaux les fruits avant de les servir.It's preferable to chop the fruits into pieces before serving them.
- Tu peux hacher les herbes aromatiques pour la sauce.You can chop the herbs for the sauce.
- Elle hache les légumes rapidement avant de les faire revenir.She chops the vegetables quickly before sautéing them.
- Je vais tailler le bois en petits morceaux pour le feu.I'm going to chop the wood into small pieces for the fire.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A chef is giving instructions to his assistant in a professional kitchen.
- GabrielIl faut hacher les herbes très finement.You must chop the herbs very finely.
- LéaEst-ce que je dois hacher l'ail aussi ?Should I chop the garlic too?
- GabrielOui, hache tout le mélange pour la sauce.Yes, chop the whole mixture for the sauce.
- LéaD'accord, je vais m'en occuper.Okay, I will take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chop” translations and entries hacher, découper, couper, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couper, découper, hacher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
