piquer ma curiosité
The English phrase "pique my interest" is translated into French as piquer ma curiosité.
This phrase is used when something suddenly makes you feel curious or interested in a subject or object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb piquer (to sting, prick or prickle) and the noun curiosité (curiosity).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often say "pique my interest", the more natural and common idiomatic expression in French uses curiosité (curiosity) rather than intérêt (interest).
How does it change in a sentence?
The possessive adjective ma (my) must agree with the feminine noun curiosité.
Did you know?
- In French, piquer is a common slang term for stealing something quickly, such as piquer un crayon to 'swipe a pencil'.
- The word piquer originally meant 'to pierce with the tip of a sword' in Old French.
- The verb piquer describes the sharp, physical sting of a cold wind or the biting taste of mustard.
Examples in context
- Ce livre m'intéresse vraiment, je ne peux pas le lâcher.This book really piques my interest, I can't put it down.
- L'exposition d'art contemporain éveille mon intérêt pour de nouvelles formes d'expression.The contemporary art exhibition sparks my interest in new forms of expression.
- Cette nouvelle a piqué ma curiosité.This news piqued my curiosity.
- Ce nouveau film vient de piquer ma curiosité.This new movie has just piqued my curiosity.
- Ton étrange comportement a fini par piquer ma curiosité.Your strange behavior ended up piquing my curiosity.
- Cette énigme est faite pour piquer ma curiosité.This riddle is designed to pique my curiosity.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curiosité, ma, piquer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
