taches
The English phrase "spots" is translated into French as taches.
taches refers to small circular marks or stains found on a surface or on the skin. If you are specifically referring to acne-like spots on the skin, the term boutons is also used.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse tache (a stain or spot) with tâche (a task or job) because they are homophones. Ensure you do not use the circumflex accent when referring to a physical mark.
Did you know?
- While taches describes spots, a single spot of light or a spotlight in a theater is called a spot, showing that French has borrowed the English word for a different meaning.
- In French, the term tache d'huile (an oil spot) is a common idiom used to describe something that spreads rapidly and uncontrollably, much like how a liquid stain expands.
- The French language distinguishes between a 'spot' of light and a 'spot' of dirt, often using éclat or lueur for light, whereas tache remains strictly for something that obscures or marks a surface.
Examples in context
- Le léopard commençait à en avoir marre de ses taches.The leopard was getting bored with its spots.This sentence shows how to use taches when referring to an animal's markings.Tatoeba #1525811 by sacredceltic, translation #1524772 by sundown
- Il y a des taches même sur le soleil.There are spots even on the sun.This sentence illustrates the use of taches in a celestial context.Tatoeba #10261728 by carlosalberto, translation #10261727 by carlosalberto
- Notre chat est blanc avec des taches brunes.Our cat is white with brown spots.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the color and markings of a pet using taches.Tatoeba #6729001 by Eccles17, translation #6862535 by kaiperkins271
- Ces marques sur le mur doivent être nettoyéesThese spots on the wall need to be cleaned
- J'ai des éclaboussures de café sur ma nappeI have coffee stains on my tablecloth
- J'ai quelques petites marques sur ma peauI have a few small spots on my skin
- Il y a des traces de peinture sur le solThere are paint spots on the floor
- J'ai des boutons sur le visageI have spots on my face
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is looking at a piece of clothing that Gabriel is wearing.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu aimes cette nouvelle veste ?Do you like this new jacket?
- EmmaElle est belle, mais il y a des taches dessus.It is beautiful, but there are spots on it.
- GabrielOh, je n'avais pas remarqué ces taches.Oh, I hadn't noticed these spots.
- EmmaTu devrais la laver avant de la porter.You should wash it before wearing it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
