collant
/kɔ.lɑ̃/
The English word "sticky" is translated into French as collant. Wiktionary also lists gluant and poisseux.
Meaning: able or likely to stick (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| collant | /kɔ.lɑ̃/ |
| gluant | /ɡly.ɑ̃/ |
| poisseux | /pwa.sø/ |
The word "sticky" can be translated using different French adjectives depending on the specific sensation or substance you are describing.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the type of stickiness: use collant for things that stick to surfaces or cling to the skin, such as honey or rice. Use gluant for a sticky texture that is more liquid, slimy or viscous, like thick sap. And use poisseux to describe an unpleasant, grimy or humid stickiness, often associated with sweat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of collant is collante.
How do you pronounce it?
The word collant has two syllables and is pronounced /kɔ.lɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- In French, the word poisse is used as slang for 'bad luck'. If someone is poisseux, they might be physically sticky or simply having a streak of misfortune.
- The word collant is also the common noun for 'pantyhose' or 'tights' in France. While it describes the way the fabric clings to the skin, you would use it to name the garment itself.
- The adjective collant is used in the French idiom avoir un comportement collant, which describes someone who is clingy or overly needy in a relationship.
Examples in context
- Ce riz est collant.This rice is sticky.This sentence uses collant to describe the texture of rice.Tatoeba #2180434 by sacredceltic, translation #2179802 by Hybrid
- Le natto est collant.Natto is sticky.This sentence uses collant to describe the texture of natto.Tatoeba #129848 by Aiji, translation #282275 by CM
- C'est très collant.It's very sticky.This sentence uses collant to express that something is very sticky.Tatoeba #1476776 by sacredceltic, translation #1476162 by Spamster
- Le ruban adhésif est très collant.The tape is very sticky.
- Cette étiquette adhésive est très collante.This adhesive label is very sticky.
- Ne touche pas cette surface, elle est poisseuse.Don't touch that surface, it's sticky.
- Ce miel est si gluant qu'il est difficile de l'étaler.This honey is so sticky that it's hard to spread.
- J'ai renversé du sirop sur ma main, c'est vraiment collant !I spilled syrup on my hand, it's really sticky!
- La confiture a un aspect poisseux quand on la fait cuire trop longtemps.Jam has a sticky texture when cooked for too long.
- Les étiquettes adhésives sont pratiques pour marquer les boîtes.Adhesive labels are convenient for labeling boxes.
- Ce chewing-gum est tellement gluant que je n'arrive pas à le retirer de ma chaussure.This gum is so sticky that I can't remove it from my shoe.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are cleaning a kitchen table.
- LucasLe plateau est encore collant.The tray is still sticky.
- ManonJe vais le nettoyer, Lucas.I will clean it, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, Manon. C'est très collant.Thanks, Manon. It's very sticky.
- ManonC'est sans doute du sirop.It is probably syrup.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sticky” translations and entries collant, gluant, poisseux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
