prise
/pʁiz/
The English word 'plug' translates to French as prise.
You can use the term une prise mâle for a male plug and une prise femelle for a female plug. If you need to describe the act of plugging something in, the standard verb is brancher, while débrancher is used to mean unplugging or disconnecting a device.
Meaning: electric connecting device (noun)
Which one should you use?
While prise is used in everyday speech, fiche is a more precise technical term used to describe the male connector part of a plug. In formal contexts, the term la fiche de branchement may be used to refer to an electrical plug and the phrase insérer dans la prise can be used to formally describe the act of inserting a plug into its socket.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of plugging a device into a prise, use the verb brancher. To express the action of unplugging or disconnecting a device, use the verb débrancher.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁiz/
Did you know?
- While brancher means 'to plug in', in modern slang it can mean 'to be in the loop' or 'trendy' when someone is described as branché.
- In French, the same word prise is used to describe a 'dose' or a 'handful' of medicine that one takes.
- Because prise means 'a taking' or 'a seizure', the phrase prise de conscience describes the moment someone suddenly realizes something.
Examples in context
- Ne retire pas encore la prise !Don't pull the plug yet.This sentence uses prise to warn against pulling the plug.Tatoeba #2402001 by sacredceltic, translation #2396003 by CK
- Ne mets jamais ton doigt dans la prise.Never plug your finger into the socket.This sentence uses prise to warn about putting a finger in a socket.Tatoeba #10270872 by lbdx, translation #3253803 by mervert1
- Débranche la prise.Disconnect the plug.This sentence uses prise to instruct someone to disconnect a plug.Tatoeba #6479811 by Aiji, translation #1604686 by marcelostockle
- J'ai inséré la fiche de branchement dans la prise muraleI plugged in the electrical plug into the wall socket
- S'il vous plaît, insérez le connecteur dans la prisePlease insert the connector into the socket
- Je vais brancher mon téléphone dans la priseI'm going to plug my phone into the socket
- Regarde bien, il y a une fiche à trois brochesLook carefully, there's a three-pin plug
- Branchez cette lampe dans la prise murale.Plug this lamp into the wall socket.
- Je vais brancher l'aspirateur avant de nettoyer.I will plug in the vacuum cleaner before cleaning.
- Insérez l'adaptateur dans la prise de courant.Insert the adapter into the power outlet.
- Assurez-vous que la prise mâle soit correctement insérée dans la prise femelleMake sure the male plug is properly inserted into the female plug
- Je vais retirer la fiche de la prise.I am going to remove the plug from the socket.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are in the living room trying to watch TV.
- NathanOù est la prise pour la télévision ?Where is the plug for the television?
- ChloéElle est derrière le meuble, Nathan.It is behind the cabinet, Nathan.
- NathanJe ne la vois pas.I don't see it.
- ChloéRegarde juste en dessous de l'écran.Just look below the screen.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prise, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
