Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| peler | /pə.le/ |
| éplucher | /e.ply.ʃe/ |
| décortiquer | /de.kɔʁ.ti.ke/ |
The verb you choose depends on what you are peeling. You use éplucher for food preparation involving fruits and vegetables. You use décortiquer for removing shells or husks from seafood and nuts. The verb peler is used when referring to skin peeling, such as from a sunburn or when removing skin in thin layers. It can also be used figuratively to mean to peel off or to flake in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
éplucher is the more common and precise verb used for peeling vegetables or fruits like potatoes or apples. décortiquer is used specifically for removing the shell or husk from things like shrimp, crabs or nuts. peler is often used when referring to skin peeling (like a sunburn) or when the skin is being removed in thin layers.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word peler is pronounced /pə.le/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In a metaphorical sense, éplucher can be used to describe 'scrutinizing' or 'going through' something in great detail, such as 'éplucher un dossier' (to go through a file).
- The verb peler descends from the Latin word pilus, meaning 'hair'. It originally referred to the act of removing hair or depilating rather than removing fruit skin.
- While décortiquer means to peel seafood or nuts, it can also be used figuratively to mean 'analyzing' or 'dissecting' a complex idea or a piece of text.
Examples in context
- Je peux éplucher une pomme.I can peel an apple.This sentence shows how to use éplucher with a fruit.Tatoeba #128009 by Julien_PDC, translation #262241 by CK
- Dois-je te peler une pomme ?Shall I peel you an apple?This sentence demonstrates the use of peler when offering to peel something for someone.Tatoeba #3146946 by sacredceltic, translation #9435625 by sundown
- Peler et couper en dés les oignons.Peel and dice the onions.This sentence provides a culinary instruction using peler.Tatoeba #11159306 by GuillaumeR, translation #3393712 by Hybrid
- Je dois éplucher les pommes de terreI have to peel the potatoes
- Veuillez bien éplucher les carottesPlease peel the carrots thoroughly
- Il faut enlever la peau des oranges avant de les mangerYou need to peel the oranges before eating them
- Vous devez enlever la peau des tomates pour cette recetteYou must peel the tomatoes for this recipe
- Je vais peler les pommes pour la tarteI'm going to peel the apples for the pie
- On doit peler les bananes avant de les ajouter dans le smoothieWe have to peel the bananas before adding them to the smoothie
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In the kitchen while preparing a salad.
- HugoTu peux peler les tomates, s'il te plaît ?Can you peel the tomatoes, please?
- EmmaOui, je vais peler les tomates maintenant.Yes, I am going to peel the tomatoes now.
- HugoMerci, Emma. C'est très gentil.Thank you, Emma. That is very kind.
- EmmaDe rien, Hugo. On commence la salade.You're welcome, Hugo. Let's start the salad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peel” translations and entries peler, éplucher, décortiquer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries décortiquer, peler, éplucher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
