Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| fourmis | /fuʁ.mi/ |
| avoir des fourmis dans les jambes | /a.vwaʁ de fuʁ.mi dɑ̃ le ʒɑ̃b/ |
The term is used to describe the sensation of paresthesia, or tingling, in a limb. You can use the phrase avoir des fourmis dans les jambes to specifically mean having pins and needles in one's legs.
What does it mean word for word?
The word fourmis literally translates to 'ants'.
Which one should you use?
While fourmis is the common way to express the sensation, you may encounter more formal terms such as fourmillements (tinglings or pricklings) or picotements (tingling or prickling).
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a body part other than the legs, replace 'jambes' with the name of the limb, such as 'bras' (arms) or 'pied' (foot).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /fuʁ.mi/ and consists of two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using a literal translation of the English phrase, such as des épingles et des aiguilles, as this is incorrect in French. Instead, use fourmis.
Did you know?
- The English word 'aver', meaning to state as a fact, is a distant relative of the French avoir used in the phrase avoir des fourmis.
- While fourmis is the most common way to describe the feeling, you can also use the more technical-sounding term fourmillements. This is derived from the verb fourmiller, which means to swarm.
Examples in context
- J’ai des fourmis dans la jambe.I've got pins and needles in my leg.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have pins and needles in your leg using fourmis.Tatoeba #3609742 by gillux, translation #274458 by CM
- J'ai des fourmis dans la jambe.I have pins and needles in my leg.Tatoeba #8328269 by JeanM, translation #8328263 by JeanM
- Tom a des fourmis dans la jambe.Tom has pins and needles in his leg.This sentence is useful for describing that someone else has pins and needles in his leg using fourmis.Tatoeba #6631621 by felix63, translation #11474647 by ddnktr
- Si je reste assis trop longtemps sans bouger, j'ai souvent des fourmillements dans les jambes.If I sit for too long without moving, I often get pins and needles in my legs.
- Après avoir été assis de manière inconfortable pendant un certain temps, vous pouvez ressentir des picotements dans les mains.After sitting uncomfortably for a while, you may feel pins and needles in your hands.
- En restant assis trop longtemps pendant le voyage, j'ai l'impression d'avoir des engourdissements dans les fesses.By sitting for too long during the journey, I feel like I have pins and needles in my buttocks.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are sitting on a hard bench in a park.
- EmmaJ'ai des fourmis dans le pied.I have pins and needles in my foot.
- HugoTu as mal quelque part ?Does it hurt somewhere?
- EmmaNon, j'ai juste des fourmis.No, I just have pins and needles.
- HugoBouge un peu ton pied alors.Move your foot a bit then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pins and needles” translations and entries fourmis, avoir des fourmis dans les jambes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avoir, dans, des, les, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
