touche de piano
The English phrase "piano key" is translated into French as touche de piano.
The phrase refers to the small lever on a piano keyboard that is pressed to produce a sound.
What does it mean word for word?
The word touche specifically refers to a key on a musical instrument or a computer keyboard, distinguishing it from a physical key used for a lock.
Did you know?
- The French word piano is a direct loan from the Italian word piano, which means 'soft'. This refers to the instrument's original full name, the pianoforte, because it could be played both soft and loud.
- In French, the word touche is used for both a touche de piano and a computer key. However, a key for a door is called a clé, which also happens to be the French word for a musical key signature.
- The word touche comes from the verb toucher, meaning 'to touch'. While English uses 'key' for both locks and pianos, French separates them because a piano key is literally something you touch.
Examples in context
- La première touche de piano émet un son mélodieux.The first piano key produces a melodious sound.
- Il a appuyé sur la touche de piano.He pressed the piano key.
- Cette touche de piano est cassée.This piano key is broken.
- Il appuie sur chaque touche de piano.He presses every piano key.
- La touche de piano est un peu collante.The piano key is a bit sticky.
Example conversation
Nathan is trying to fix an old instrument in the living room.
- ManonNathan, qu'est-ce que tu fais ?Nathan, what are you doing?
- NathanJe vérifie cette touche de piano.I am checking this piano key.
- ManonEst-ce qu'elle fonctionne bien ?Does it work well?
- NathanNon, elle est coincée.No, it is stuck.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, piano, touche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
