planche
/plɑ̃ʃ/feminine
The French word for plank is planche.
The term planche refers to a long, broad and thick piece of timber.
Meaning: long, broad and thick piece of timber (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of planche is planches.
How do you pronounce it?
/plɑ̃ʃ/
Did you know?
- A comic strip is called a planche in French, referring to the original full page of art before it is divided into panels.
- In French theater, the phrase monter à la planche refers to stepping onto the stage. This use treats the stage floor as a single giant planche.
- The word planche shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'phalanx', referring to a military formation. This connects a simple piece of wood to the ancient Greek tactical arrangement of soldiers.
Examples in context
- Une lourde charge fait que la planche s'affaisse au milieu.A heavy load is causing the plank to sag in the middle.This sentence illustrates how a heavy load can cause a planche to sag.Tatoeba #8915892 by lbdx, translation #5263020 by Jesse
- Passe-moi cette planche.Hand me that plank.This sentence is a way to ask someone to hand you a planche.Tatoeba #10230550 by lbdx, translation #5631839 by mailohilohi
- En gros, une table à tréteaux est une planche posée sur deux tréteaux.Basically, a trestle table is a plank set on two trestles.This sentence describes a trestle table as a planche placed on two trestles.Tatoeba #10641134 by lbdx, translation #10641133 by rul
- La planche est utilisée pour construire des meubles.The plank is used to build furniture.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are building a wooden shelf together.
- EmmaEst-ce que cette planche est assez longue ?Is this plank long enough?
- GabrielOui, elle mesure exactement deux mètres.Yes, it is exactly two meters long.
- EmmaD'accord, aide-moi à couper la planche.Okay, help me cut the plank.
- GabrielJe m'en occupe tout de suite, Emma.I'll take care of it right away, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plank” translations and entries planche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries planche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
