agrafeuse
/a.ɡʁa.føz/feminine
The English phrase "stapler" is agrafeuse in French. Wiktionary also lists brocheuse.
Meaning: device which binds together paper (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| agrafeuse | /a.ɡʁa.føz/ | feminine |
| brocheuse | /bʁɔ.ʃøz/ | Quebec, feminine |
The term refers to a device used to bind paper together.
What does it mean word for word?
The word agrafeuse is derived from agrafe, which means "staple" or "clasp".
Which one should you use?
While agrafeuse is the standard term used in France, brocheuse is a regional preference used in Quebec.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term brocheuse is commonly used for a stapler.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun agrafeuse is feminine. The word brocheuse is also feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /a.ɡʁa.føz/.
Did you know?
- The term brocheuse comes from the word broche, which in many contexts refers to a small rod or a spit used for roasting meat.
- In some old French texts, an agrafe was a piece of jewelry used to secure a cloak, making the modern stapler a distant linguistic relative of a brooch.
- The French word agrafe can refer to a staple, a clothing clasp, or even a surgical stitch used to close a wound.
Examples in context
- Je sais ce qu'est une agrafeuse.I know what a stapler is.This sentence is useful for confirming knowledge of the object.Tatoeba #6568154 by GB3, translation #2376260 by CK
- Je peux t'emprunter ton agrafeuse ?Could I borrow your stapler?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a stapler.Tatoeba #9710650 by lbdx, translation #6265314 by CK
- Aurais-tu une agrafeuse à me prêter ?Do you have a stapler I could borrow?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can lend you a stapler.Tatoeba #6966032 by Yemana, translation #6954674 by CK
- Je vais avoir besoin d'une agrafeuse pour assembler ces documents importants.I will need a stapler to assemble these important documents.
- Tu peux me passer l'agrafeuse s'il te plaît ? J'ai besoin de rassembler ces papiers.Can you pass me the stapler, please? I need to gather these papers.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are working in an office.
- GabrielEmma, as-tu vu mon agrafeuse ?Emma, have you seen my stapler?
- EmmaNon, mais je peux te prêter la mienne.No, but I can lend you mine.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thanks, that's very kind of you.
- EmmaDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stapler” translations and entries agrafeuse, brocheuse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
