tache
/taʃ/
In French, the English phrase 'spot' is translated as tache.
If you are using the English word 'spot' to mean a physical location or a place, tache is not the correct word. Instead, you should use terms like endroit, lieu or emplacement. If you are referring to a hidden or secret spot, you can use cachette.
Meaning: location or area (noun)
Which one should you use?
Endroit is a general term for a spot. Lieu can be used in the sense of a spot and is slightly more formal. In informal language, the word coin is used to refer to a particular spot or corner.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/taʃ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use tache to mean a 'spot' in the sense of a location or place. When you want to describe a location, use endroit or lieu instead.
Did you know?
- Depending on the accent, tache is a homophone of tâche, which means 'task'. A small difference in the circumflex accent changes the meaning from a 'spot' to a 'job'.
- The word tache can describe a physical stain, but in a figurative sense, it can also refer to a 'spot' on someone's reputation or a moral blemish.
- The French word tache is a distant relative of the English word 'token'. Both descend from a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'sign' or 'mark'.
Examples in context
- Tu as loupé une tache.You missed a spot.This sentence is useful for showing how to use tache when a mark was missed.Tatoeba #2164128 by sacredceltic, translation #2162957 by Hybrid
- Il y a une tache sur ta chemise.There's a spot on your shirt.This sentence shows how to use tache to describe a stain on clothing.Tatoeba #11882811 by lbdx, translation #6395794 by Hybrid
- Je peux voir la plus petite tache.I can see the tiniest spot.This sentence demonstrates how to use tache when identifying a small mark.Tatoeba #1182816 by sacredceltic, translation #36601 by AlanF_US
- L'emplacement de stationnement est réservé aux employés.The parking spot is reserved for employees
- Trouve un endroit tranquille dans le parc.Find a quiet spot in the park
- C'est l'endroit parfait pour installer la scène.This is the perfect spot to set up the stage
- Tu peux me garder une place?Can you save me a spot?
- Je connais une excellente cachette dans la ville.I know a great hidden spot in the city
- Puis-je réserver une place de stationnement ?Can I reserve a parking spot?
- Ils ont trouvé l'emplacement parfait pour le nouveau restaurant.They found the perfect spot for the new restaurant.
- Vous pouvez vous asseoir dans la zone fumeurs prévue.You can sit in the designated smoking area.
- Retrouvons-nous à notre coin habituel.Let's meet at our usual spot.
- Je t'ai gardé une place dans la file d'attente.I saved you a spot in line.
- Il y a une super place pour pique-niquer dans le parc.There's a great picnic area in the park.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are cleaning the kitchen together.
- GabrielRegarde, il y a une tache ici.Look, there is a spot here.
- EmmaJe ne la vois pas, Gabriel.I don't see it, Gabriel.
- GabrielC'est une petite tache de gras.It is a small grease spot.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais frotter cette tache.Okay, I will scrub this spot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tache, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tache, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
