taille-crayon
/taj.kʁɛ.jɔ̃/
The English phrase "pencil sharpener" is taille-crayon in French.
The term taille-crayon refers to a device used to sharpen the lead of a pencil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so you should use the masculine articles un or le. While the singular form is taille-crayon, the plural form is taille-crayons.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /taj.kʁɛ.jɔ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The verb tailler, used in taille-crayon, also means 'to prune' a hedge or 'to cut' a diamond. It refers to a precise, shaping cut rather than just a generic break.
- The word taille is a homonym that can refer to a person's waist or a clothing size depending on the sentence.
- The term crayon is used for all pencils including graphite ones, whereas in English 'crayon' usually refers only to wax sticks.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'un taille-crayon.I need a pencil sharpener.This sentence shows how to express the need for a taille-crayon.Tatoeba #5569188 by sacredceltic, translation #2631954 by Joseph
- Le taille-crayon, c'est pour le côté de la mine, pas celui de la gomme.It's the lead that goes in the pencil sharpener, not the eraser.This sentence clarifies that the taille-crayon is for the lead of the pencil.Tatoeba #7922532 by Aiji, translation #13855506 by tieguy
- Quand une mine se coince dans le taille-crayon, tu peux appuyer sur le bouton à l'arrière pour l'éjecter.When the lead gets stuck in the pencil sharpener, you can press the back button to eject it.This sentence explains how to eject a stuck lead from a taille-crayon.Tatoeba #7922531 by Aiji, translation #13885803 by tieguy
- J'ai besoin d'un taille-crayon pour mon crayon.I need a pencil sharpener for my pencil.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are studying at a library.
- ChloéLucas, est-ce que tu as un taille-crayon ?Lucas, do you have a pencil sharpener?
- LucasNon, mais je peux t'en prêter un si je le trouve.No, but I can lend you one if I find it.
- ChloéMerci, mon crayon n'est plus pointu.Thanks, my pencil is no longer sharp.
- LucasTiens, voilà le taille-crayon que j'ai trouvé.Here, here is the pencil sharpener I found.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry taille-crayon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
