toile d'araignée
/twal d‿a.ʁɛ.ɲe/
The English phrase "spider web" is translated into French as toile d'araignée.
toile d'araignée refers to the network of silk threads spun by a spider to catch prey.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of toile (web/cloth) and d'araignée (of spider).
How do you pronounce it?
It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word toile is a polysemous term that refers to both a spider's web and a piece of fabric or canvas used by painters. In a museum, you might find a toile that is a masterpiece rather than an insect's home.
- The word toile shares a common ancestor with the English word 'textile'. Both derive from the Latin 'tela', which refers to a web or a woven fabric.
- In French, the phrase toile d'araignée serves double duty for both active webs and 'cobwebs'. While English differentiates between a fresh web and an old dusty one, French uses one term for both.
Examples in context
- La toile d'araignée luisait dans la rosée du matin.The spider web glistened in the morning dew.This sentence is useful for describing how the toile d'araignée looks in the morning dew.Tatoeba #820610 by sacredceltic, translation #569018 by darinmex
- Regardez cette magnifique toile d'araignée dans le coin de la pièce!Look at that magnificent spider web in the corner of the room!
- Il y a une toile d'araignée dans le coin du plafond.There is a spider web in the corner of the ceiling.
- Fais attention à cette toile d'araignée sur ton chemin.Watch out for that spider web in your path.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are cleaning the attic.
- ManonRegarde, Lucas, il y a une énorme toile d'araignée ici.Look, Lucas, there is a huge spider web here.
- LucasOh non, je n'aime pas ça !Oh no, I don't like that!
- ManonNe t'inquiète pas, je vais l'enlever.Don't worry, I will remove it.
- LucasMerci beaucoup, Manon.Thank you very much, Manon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry toile d'araignée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
