tremper
/tʁɑ̃.pe/
The English phrase 'to dip' (to lower into a liquid) can be translated into French as tremper or plonger.
Meaning: to lower into a liquid (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| tremper | /tʁɑ̃.pe/ |
| plonger | /plɔ̃.ʒe/ |
tremper is used when the intent is to soak something in a liquid or to dip something briefly, such as a cookie in milk. It can also be used to mean making something wet or damp, for example, to dampen a cloth.
Which one should you use?
Use tremper for dipping or soaking something briefly. Use plonger when the action implies a more forceful or deeper movement into a liquid, similar to the English words 'to plunge' or 'to dive'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Provence region of France, the word aïoli is sometimes used to describe a dip, although it primarily refers to a garlic and olive oil-based sauce.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tremper is pronounced /tʁɑ̃.pe/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The verb plonger is etymologically linked to the Latin word 'plumbum', which means 'lead'.
- The phrase plonger dans is often used metaphorically to mean immersing oneself in a book or a memory.
- While tremper means to dip, it is also the root of trempette, a common colloquial word for a dipping sauce.
Examples in context
- J'aime tremper un biscuit dans le café.I like to dip a cookie in coffee.This sentence shows the use of tremper for dipping a biscuit in coffee.Tatoeba #10714905 by lbdx, translation #10601709 by AlanF_US
- Je vais tremper mes légumes dans la sauceI'm going to dip my vegetables in the sauce
- La trempette à l'artichaut est délicieuseThe artichoke dip is delicious
- J'adore les tartinades au fromageI love cheese dips
- Pour l'apéritif, je vais faire un aïoli pour tremper les légumesFor the appetizer, I'll make an aïoli to dip the vegetables
- Il faut tremper le pain dans la soupe.You should dip the bread into the soup.
- Elle aime tremper les fraises dans le chocolat.She likes to dip strawberries in chocolate.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are having dessert at a cafe.
- HugoTu veux tremper ton gâteau dans le thé ?Do you want to dip your cake in the tea?
- ManonOui, c'est délicieux comme ça.Yes, it is delicious that way.
- HugoManon, regarde comme il est bon ce dessert.Manon, look how good this dessert is.
- ManonTu as raison, Hugo.You are right, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dip” translations and entries tremper, plonger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plonger, tremper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
