ongle
/ɔ̃ɡl/
The French word for nail is ongle.
In French, ongle is used exclusively for the nail on a finger or toe. If you want to talk about the metal spike used in construction or woodworking, you must use a different word.
Meaning: spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials (noun)
Which one should you use?
ongle refers only to a fingernail or toenail, whereas a metal spike used in construction is called clou.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔ̃ɡl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ongle to mean a metal construction nail, but they should use clou instead.
Did you know?
- In French, the 'star' or 'highlight' of a show or event is called le clou du spectacle, effectively describing the 'nail' that holds the whole performance together.
- The word ongle comes from the Latin 'ungula', which is the same root used in the English scientific term 'ungulate' for hoofed animals.
- While ongle refers to your fingernails, the term griffe is used for the 'nails' or claws of animals like cats or dogs.
Examples in context
- J'ai un ongle cassé.I have a broken nail.This sentence is useful for describing a broken ongle.Tatoeba #5373519 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4724165 by panamicua
- As-tu une lime à ongles ?Do you have a nail file?This sentence is useful for asking about a nail file for an ongle.Tatoeba #5945529 by Aiji, translation #3824700 by CK
- Elle s'est cassé un ongle.She broke a nail.This sentence is useful for describing the action of breaking an ongle.Tatoeba #1534196 by martin9, translation #12895107 by rul
- Je dois enfoncer le clou dans le bois.I need to drive the nail into the wood.
- Marie a cassé un ongle en tombant.Marie broke a nail when she fell.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking about a broken fingernail.
- GabrielOh non, tu as cassé ton ongle !Oh no, you broke your nail!
- ManonOui, mon ongle est tout fendu.Yes, my nail is completely split.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu veux une lime ?Do you want a file?
- ManonOui, Gabriel, s'il te plaît.Yes, Gabriel, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ongle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ongle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
