pointure
/pwɛ̃.tyʁ/feminine
The French phrase for "shoe size" is pointure.
pointure is used to refer specifically to the size of a shoe. In France, shoe sizes typically follow the European system, which for adults usually ranges from 35 to 50.
Meaning: size of shoe (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pointure is feminine. When expressing what shoe size someone wears, French uses the verb faire (to do/make) instead of être (to be).
How do you pronounce it?
/pwɛ̃.tyʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word taille when talking about shoes. While taille means "size" in a general sense, it is used for clothing size or a person's height. Use pointure for footwear.
Did you know?
- The term pointure can also be used informally in French to describe a person of great importance or a 'big shot'. In this context, it is a slang term for someone who is a heavy hitter in their field.
- The term pointure is an etymological relative of the English word 'puncture', both deriving from the Latin word for 'a prick' or 'a small hole'.
- European shoe sizes, including the French pointure, are based on the 'Paris point', a unit of measurement equal to two-thirds of a centimeter.
Examples in context
- Quelle est sa pointure ?What is her shoe size?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's shoe size using the form pointure.Tatoeba #3271566 by Julien_PDC, translation #3271565 by shekitten
- Quelle pointure fais-tu ?What's your shoe size?This sentence is useful for asking someone what shoe size they wear using the form pointure.Tatoeba #1557966 by sacredceltic, translation #20131 by CK
- Quelle est la pointure de ta femme ?What is your wife's shoe size?This sentence is useful for asking about a third party's shoe size using the form pointure.Tatoeba #4469266 by Amastan, translation #8400159 by marioo
- Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous me dire quelle est ma pointure?Excuse me, can you tell me what my shoe size is?
- Ma pointure est…My shoe size is…
- Quelle est ta pointure?What is your shoe size?
- Je chausse du 37.I wear a size 37.
- Ma pointure est 42.My shoe size is 42.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are shopping for shoes in a store.
- ManonGabriel, quelle est ta pointure ?Gabriel, what is your shoe size?
- GabrielJe pense que c'est du quarante-deux.I think it is a size forty-two.
- ManonD'accord, je vais demander au vendeur.Okay, I will ask the shop assistant.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thanks, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoe size” translations and entries pointure, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pointure, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
