ficelle
/fi.sɛl/
The French word for string is ficelle.
ficelle is a noun used to describe a long, thin structure made from twisted threads.
Meaning: long, thin structure made from twisted threads (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /fi.sɛl/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French cooking, a ficelle is also the name of a type of very thin, long baguette.
- The term ficelle is used in the expression tirer les ficelles, which means to pull the strings or manipulate a situation from behind the scenes.
- The word ficelle likely evolved from the Vulgar Latin word filicella, which itself comes from the Latin fīlum meaning 'thread'.
Examples in context
- Elle lia le paquet avec une ficelle.She tied up the parcel with string.This sentence shows how to use ficelle to tie up a parcel.Tatoeba #484705 by sacredceltic, translation #311300 by CK
- Il attacha le paquet avec une ficelle.He bound the package with a string.This sentence shows how to use ficelle to bind a package.Tatoeba #131333 by Aiji, translation #292568 by CM
- Il a attaché la ficelle au cerf-volant.He attached the string to the kite.This sentence shows how to use ficelle when attaching it to a kite.Tatoeba #11138633 by lbdx, translation #8452035 by ET
- Tu as un fil de pêche pour cette canne à pêche ?Do you have a fishing line for this fishing rod?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are preparing a gift together.
- NathanOn a besoin d'une ficelle pour le cadeau.We need some string for the gift.
- EmmaJe vais en chercher une dans le tiroir.I will look for some in the drawer.
- NathanCette ficelle est trop courte, Emma.This string is too short, Emma.
- EmmaPrends celle-ci, elle est plus longue.Take this one, it is longer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ficelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ficelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
