Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lin | /lɛ̃/ | |
| linge | /lɛ̃ʒ/ | |
| toile | /twal/ | feminine |
The term for linen changes based on whether you are discussing the raw material, a specific heavy fabric or laundry and household textiles. You use lin to talk about the flax fiber or the material itself. The term linge is used for laundry, clothing or household linens such as towels and sheets. The word toile is used when referring to a heavy-duty linen fabric or canvas. The phrase linge de maison specifically refers to household linens like bedsheets and tablecloths.
Which one should you use?
Use lin when referring specifically to the raw material or the plant fiber. Use linge when referring to laundry, clothes or household linens like towels and sheets. Use toile when referring to a specific type of heavy-duty linen fabric or canvas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form toile is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/lɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The term toile is the root of the English word 'toilet', as it originally referred to a small cloth or a cloth used for covering.
- In French, the word toile is used to describe the internet, which is why the French call the web la toile.
- The word toile is used to describe the screen in a movie theater. This reflects the history of cinema when films were projected onto large pieces of linen canvas.
Examples in context
- Où est le panier à linge ?Where's the linen basket?This sentence is useful for locating a laundry basket using the form linge.Tatoeba #11168766 by lbdx, translation #10481446 by sundown
- On lave son linge sale en famille.One does not air one's dirty linen in public.This sentence shows an idiomatic expression about private matters using the form linge.Tatoeba #1170618 by sacredceltic, translation #13252519 by calypsow
- Ne lave pas ton linge sale en public.Don't wash your dirty linen in public.This sentence provides an imperative version of the idiom about private matters using the form linge.Tatoeba #8459129 by Aiji, translation #25722 by CK
- J'aime bien les vêtements en lin, ils sont tellement confortables!I love linen clothes, they are so comfortable!
- Je cherche un tissu en lin de bonne qualité.I'm looking for a good-quality linen fabric.
- As-tu des draps en lin ?Do you have any linen sheets?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A boutique specializing in natural textiles.
- LucasEst-ce que ce tissu est en lin ?Is this fabric made of linen?
- ChloéOui, c'est du lin de haute qualité.Yes, it is high-quality linen.
- LucasIl est très doux pour la peau.It is very soft on the skin.
- ChloéLe lin est idéal pour l'été.Linen is ideal for summer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “linen” translations and entries lin, linge, toile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lin, linge, toile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
