coin
/kwɛ̃/masculine
The English word "corner" translates to French as coin.
coin refers to a space in the angle between converging lines or walls. The expression Au coin de la rue means "at the corner of the street". Additionally, in an informal context, the phrase Le p'tit coin is used to refer to the restroom.
Meaning: space in the angle between converging lines or walls (noun)
Which one should you use?
While coin refers to a physical corner or nook, the word angle is used specifically when discussing geometric measurements of an intersection.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kwɛ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse the French word coin (corner) with the English word "coin" (money). In French, the word for money is pièce.
Did you know?
- French speakers use the expression être dans son coin to describe someone who is brooding or keeping to themselves emotionally.
- The word coin is actually a linguistic descendant of the Latin word 'cuneus', which means 'wedge'.
- The phrase au coin du feu refers to sitting by the hearth, treating the fireplace as the emotional and physical 'corner' of the home.
Examples in context
- Va au coin !Stand in the corner!This sentence uses coin to tell someone to stand in the corner.Tatoeba #8027090 by Aiji, translation #2951364 by AlanF_US
- Il tourna au coin.He turned the corner.This sentence shows how to use coin when describing turning a corner.Tatoeba #1315023 by sacredceltic, translation #290640 by CK
- Il vit juste au coin.He lives just around the corner.This sentence uses coin to describe living just around the corner.Tatoeba #1353816 by sacredceltic, translation #290460 by CK
- Le chat se repose dans le coin du salon.The cat is resting in the corner of the living room.
- Excusez-moi, où est le p'tit coin le plus proche ?Excuse me, where is the nearest restroom?
- J'ai trouvé un livre intéressant dans le recoin de la bibliothèque.I found an interesting book in the corner of the library.
- 98 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking for a small table in a room.
- LéaPose le vase dans le coin.Put the vase in the corner.
- HugoPrès de la fenêtre, dans ce coin ?Near the window, in this corner?
- LéaOui, là-bas, dans le coin droit.Yes, over there, in the right corner.
- HugoD'accord, je le pose dans le coin.Okay, I'll put it in the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corner” translations and entries coin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
