pistolet à colle
The English phrase glue gun is translated into French as pistolet à colle.
The term refers to a general gun-shaped applicator used for applying glue.
Meaning: gun-shaped glue applicator in general (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pistolet (pistol or gun) and à colle (for glue).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, particularly in Quebec, the term pistolet à colle chaude is used specifically to refer to a hot glue gun.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an s to pistolet to get pistolets à colle, but do not change colle.
Did you know?
- The word pistolet has a surprising connection to music, as it originates from the Czech word píšťala, which actually means 'whistle'.
- While the word pistolet means 'pistol', in French it is used for any hand-held tool with a trigger mechanism, from glue guns to paint sprayers.
- The structure pistolet à colle follows a French linguistic pattern where the preposition à identifies a tool's purpose, similar to how pince à épiler describes tweezers.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'un pistolet à colle.I need a glue gun
- Je n'ai pas de pistolet à colle.I don't have a glue gun
- Je ne veux pas de pistolet de colle.I don't want a glue gun
- Le pistolet à colle est chaud.The glue gun is hot.
- Où est le pistolet à colle ?Where is the glue gun?
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are working on a craft project.
- ManonLucas, peux-tu me passer le pistolet à colle ?Lucas, can you pass me the glue gun?
- LucasOui, le voilà.Yes, here it is.
- ManonMerci, je dois fixer ces perles.Thanks, I need to fix these beads.
- LucasAttends que le pistolet à colle chauffe.Wait for the glue gun to heat up.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colle, pistolet, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
