allumettes
The English phrase "matches" is translated into French as allumettes.
You can use it in several ways: Allumer une allumette means to light a match, Un carnet d'allumettes is a matchbook, Des allumettes imperméables means waterproof matches and Une tige d'allumette refers to a single matchstick.
Which one should you use?
While allumettes refers to wooden sticks used to light fires, the word match (borrowed from English) is used in French to refer to a sports match or a competition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun, so the singular form is une allumette. The plural form allumettes is used with the plural indefinite article des.
Did you know?
- French speakers use the word allumette as a slang term for a very thin person, similar to calling someone a 'beanpole' in English.
- The word allumette comes from the verb allumer, which means 'to light' or 'to ignite'. It essentially describes the object by the action it performs.
- While an English speaker might say 'striking a match', a French person says frotter l'allumette, which literally means 'to rub the match'.
Examples in context
- Ne jouez pas avec les allumettes.Don't play with matches.This sentence uses allumettes to give a warning about playing with matches.Tatoeba #7700487 by Maxence, translation #2270517 by CK
- Sois prudent en manipulant des allumettes !Be careful handling matches!This sentence uses allumettes to advise caution when handling matches.Tatoeba #3668288 by sacredceltic, translation #32521 by Dejo
- Ben a appris à faire du feu sans allumettes.Ben learned to make a fire without matches.This sentence uses allumettes to describe making a fire without the use of matches.Tatoeba #13302 by sysko, translation #33798 by CN
- Il a utilisé des allumettes pour allumer le feu.He used matches to light the fire.
- J'ai besoin d'un carnet d'allumettes pour allumer les bougies.I need a matchbook to light the candles.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are in the kitchen trying to light a candle.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as des allumettes ?Do you have some matches?
- ManonNon, je n'ai pas d'allumettes ici.No, I don't have any matches here.
- GabrielIl me faut des allumettes pour la bougie.I need matches for the candle.
- ManonCherche dans le tiroir, Gabriel.Look in the drawer, Gabriel.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
