Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| couper | /ku.pe/ |
| inciser | /ɛ̃.si.ze/ |
The verb couper is the general term used for dividing something with a sharp instrument. You can use the idiomatic expression couper court à to mean cutting something short, such as a conversation or a process. When referring to a physical cut on the skin or a break in a connection (like a power cut), use the noun une coupure.
Which one should you use?
While 'couper' is the general word for cutting, inciser is used for more precise, surgical or technical incisions. Another formal synonym for "cut" is trancher which specifically refers to slicing or carving. While coupe refers to a cut or a style, une coupure is the specific noun used for a physical cut on the skin or a break in a connection (like a power cut).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of couper is coupé.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables: /ku.pe/.
Did you know?
- The phrase couper le mot is used when someone interrupts a speaker, literally 'cutting the word'.
- The word couper is historically linked to coup, meaning 'blow'. It originally described the act of cutting something off with a single sharp strike.
- The verb trancher is used when the action involves a decisive, forceful slicing, such as carving meat or making a sharp decision.
Examples in context
- Je te couperai la tête !I'll cut your head off!This sentence demonstrates the use of couper.Tatoeba #1957704 by sacredceltic, translation #1956017 by Spamster
- Dois-je le couper en deux ?Shall I cut it in half?Tatoeba #4434984 by sacredceltic, translation #2711735 by sharptoothed
- Fais-toi couper les cheveux !Get your hair cut!Tatoeba #5637642 by Akenaseryan, translation #2485965 by AlanF_US
- Il faut couper les légumes en petits morceaux.You need to cut the vegetables into small pieces.
- Utilisez des ciseaux pour couper le papier.Use scissors to cut the paper.
- Pour la présentation, il est préférable de trancher la viande finement.For presentation, it is best to slice the meat thinly.
- Je vais trancher le pain pour accompagner le fromage.I'll cut the bread to serve with the cheese.
- Je vais couper les cheveux courts.I'm going to cut my hair short.
- S'il te plaît, coupe-moi un morceau de gâteau.Please cut me a piece of cake.
- J'ai taillé les haies dans le jardin.I trimmed the hedges in the garden.
- Mon père taille souvent les arbres fruitiers.My father often prunes fruit trees.
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- LéaGabriel, peux-tu couper les tomates ?Gabriel, can you cut the tomatoes?
- GabrielOui, je vais les couper maintenant.Yes, I will cut them now.
- LéaUtilise ce couteau pour couper.Use this knife to cut.
- GabrielD'accord, je coupe tout de suite.Okay, I'm cutting them right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut” translations and entries couper, inciser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couper, inciser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
