retouche
The French word for 'retouch' is retouche.
The term is used to describe the act of improving something, especially a photograph. You can use it with a direct object, such as in the phrase retoucher une photo to mean 'to retouch a photo'.
Meaning: to improve something, especially a photograph (verb)
Which one should you use?
The noun form une retouche refers to a single touch-up or an edit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is retoucher. The form retouche can also serve as the third-person singular present indicative of the verb retoucher.
Did you know?
- The word touche used in retoucher is also the term for the individual keys on a piano or a computer keyboard.
- In a French tailoring shop, the physical act of altering a garment's fit is called une retouche, whereas in English 'retouching' is almost exclusively digital or artistic.
- While in English a 'retouch' is often an improvement, in French a retouche can sometimes imply a deceptive alteration that changes the original essence of a person's appearance.
Examples in context
- Le photographe a passé du temps à retoucher les photos du mariageThe photographer spent time retouching the wedding photos
- Le designer a peaufiné les prototypes avant de les présenter au clientThe designer refined the prototypes before presenting them to the client
- On devrait refaire ce portrait en studio pour le retoucherWe should redo this portrait in the studio to retouch it
- Je dois retoucher légèrement cette peinture avant de l'exposerI need to lightly retouch this painting before exhibiting it
Example conversation
Lucas is showing his professional photography work to Léa.
- LéaCette photo est magnifique, Lucas.This photo is magnificent, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, mais je dois encore faire une retouche.Thanks, but I still need to do a retouch.
- LéaLa retouche est-elle indispensable ?Is the retouch indispensable?
- LucasOui, pour enlever cette ombre.Yes, to remove this shadow.
