poignée
/pwa.ɲe/feminine
The English word knob can be translated into French as poignée or pommeau.
Meaning: rounded protuberance, handle, or control switch (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| poignée | /pwa.ɲe/ | feminine |
| pommeau | /pɔ.mo/ | masculine |
The term refers to a rounded protuberance, a handle or a control switch.
Which one should you use?
Use poignée as a general term for a handle or a door knob that you grasp or turn. Use pommeau specifically when referring to a rounded knob found at the end of a stick, a faucet or a showerhead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine poignée is poignées. The plural of the masculine pommeau is pommeaux.
How do you pronounce it?
The word poignée is pronounced /pwa.ɲe/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, a 'handful' of something is also called a poignée, sharing the exact same word as a door knob.
- The word pommeau is actually a diminutive of a word meaning 'apple'.
- In historical contexts, pommeau refers to the weighted rounded end of a sword hilt used to balance the blade.
Examples in context
- Tournez la poignée et ouvrez la porte.Turn the knob and open the door.This sentence is useful for showing how to use poignée when opening a door.Tatoeba #139288 by Aiji, translation #35749 by CK
- J'ai tourné le bouton pour ajuster le volume de la télévision.I turned the knob to adjust the volume of the television.
- Je tire sur la poignée pour ouvrir la porte du réfrigérateur.I pull on the knob to open the refrigerator door.
- Tourne le bouton de la radio pour trouver la bonne station.Turn the knob on the radio to find the right station.
- Tourne la manette de la vieille radio pour ajuster la fréquence.Turn the knob on the old radio to adjust the frequency.
- La poignée de la porte est cassée.The door knob is broken.
- Elle a acheté une nouvelle poignée pour le tiroir.She bought a new handle for the drawer.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are in their new kitchen.
- LucasRegarde cette belle poignée sur le placard.Look at this beautiful knob on the cupboard.
- EmmaOui, elle est très élégante, Lucas.Yes, it is very elegant, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que la poignée est solide ?Is the knob sturdy?
- EmmaElle semble très bien fixée.It seems very well fixed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knob” translations and entries poignée, pommeau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poignée, pommeau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
