How to Say “Sharpen a Pencil” in French

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tailler un crayon
To sharpen a pencil in French is tailler un crayon.
This phrase is used to describe the action of making the tip of a pencil pointed and sharp by using a tool.

What does it mean word for word?

The verb tailler literally means to cut, shape or trim, which describes the action of removing wood to create a point.

How does it change in a sentence?

If you are referring to a specific pencil already in context, you replace the indefinite article un with the definite article le to say tailler le crayon (to sharpen the pencil).

Did you know?

  • In French, the word tailler can be used in slang to mean 'to roast' or criticize someone harshly.
  • The French word tailler is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'tailor'.
  • The word crayon is actually a diminutive of craie, which means 'chalk'. It literally translates to 'little chalk'.

Examples in context

  • Il faut que je taille mon crayon.
    I need to sharpen my pencil.
  • Peux-tu tailler un crayon pour moi ?
    Can you sharpen a pencil for me?
  • Je dois tailler un crayon.
    I need to sharpen a pencil.
  • Il va tailler un crayon avec ce taille-crayon.
    He is going to sharpen a pencil with this sharpener.

Example conversation

Manon and Nathan are preparing for an art class.

  1. Manon

    Nathan, je vais tailler un crayon.
    Nathan, I am going to sharpen a pencil.
  2. Nathan

    D'accord, je vais en tailler un aussi.
    Okay, I will sharpen one too.
  3. Manon

    Tu as le taille-crayon ?
    Do you have the pencil sharpener?
  4. Nathan

    Oui, je te le donne tout de suite.
    Yes, I'll give it to you right now.

Sources

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Jerome Elliot
Jerome ElliotHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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