Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| couper | /ku.pe/ |
| inciser | /ɛ̃.si.ze/ |
The verb couper is the general term used to describe dividing something with a sharp instrument. You can use the phrase couper en deux to specifically mean cutting something into two equal parts. There is also an idiomatic expression, couper court à, which means to abruptly end or interrupt a process or a conversation.
Which one should you use?
While couper is the general word for cutting, inciser is used for more precise, technical or surgical incisions. For cutting something into a specific desired shape or form, such as pruning plants, the verb tailler is more appropriate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of couper is coupé, which you will use to form compound tenses like the passé composé.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ku.pe/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, couper is used for things that English speakers would not 'cut', such as 'cutting' the electricity or 'cutting' a phone call.
- In a culinary context, couper is the general term, but French has dozens of highly specific verbs for different types of cuts, such as émincer for thinly slicing.
- The phrase couper le mot is used when someone interrupts another person, literally 'cutting the word'.
Examples in context
- Je te couperai la tête !I'll cut your head off!This sentence uses the form couper to express a threat of cutting.Tatoeba #1957704 by sacredceltic, translation #1956017 by Spamster
- Dois-je le couper en deux ?Shall I cut it in half?This sentence uses the form couper to ask about cutting something in half.Tatoeba #4434984 by sacredceltic, translation #2711735 by sharptoothed
- Fais-toi couper les cheveux !Get your hair cut!This sentence uses the form couper in the context of getting a haircut.Tatoeba #5637642 by Akenaseryan, translation #2485965 by AlanF_US
- Je vais couper les légumes pour la saladeI am going to cut the vegetables for the salad
- Il faut tailler les haies du jardinWe need to trim the hedges in the garden
- Le chef a tranché la viande avec précisionThe chef cut the meat with precision
- Je coupe les cheveux de mon frèreI'm cutting my brother's hair
- On doit scier cette planche en deuxWe need to cut this board in half
- Regarde, j'ai découpé un cœur dans du papierLook, I cut out a heart from paper
- Je dois couper cette feuille de papier en deuxI need to cut this piece of paper in half
- Elle sait bien tailler les rosiers pour qu'ils fleurissent davantageShe knows how to prune the rose bushes for them to bloom more
- Nous devons trancher cette corde avec un couteau bien aiguiséWe need to cut this rope with a sharp knife
- J'ai coupé mes cheveux très courts, ça change!I got a very short haircut, it's a change!
- On a découpé les légumes pour faire une soupeWe cut up the vegetables to make a soup
- N'oublie pas de scier cette planche en deux avant de la fixerDon't forget to cut this board in half before attaching it
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, preparing vegetables for dinner.
- GabrielTu peux couper les carottes, s'il te plaît ?Can you cut the carrots, please?
- LéaOui, je vais les couper maintenant.Yes, I am going to cut them now.
- GabrielUtilise le bon couteau pour couper.Use the right knife to cut.
- LéaD'accord, je fais attention.Okay, I am being careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut” translations and entries couper, inciser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
