pile
/pil/feminine
The French word for 'tails' (the side of a coin) is pile.
In the context of flipping a coin, the standard phrase used to say 'heads or tails' is pile ou face.
Meaning: side of coin (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
In the context of a coin toss, pile literally refers to the side of the coin that is not the 'face' (the side with the relief or design).
How does it change in a sentence?
pile is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pil/
Did you know?
- While pile means 'tails' in a coin toss, it is also the standard word for 'battery' in a device. This creates a confusing situation for learners who might try to describe a 'battery' as the back of a coin.
- The word pile can be used in the expression pile poil, meaning 'exactly' or 'spot on'. This usage has nothing to do with coins or batteries.
- The word pile also describes a 'stack' of objects, such as a 'stack of books'. This reflects the Latin root for a pillar or a heap.
Examples in context
- Pile je gagne, face tu perds.Heads I win, tails you lose.This sentence is useful for seeing the expression used in a game.Tatoeba #1440827 by sacredceltic, translation #37890 by CK
- La devise de ce candidat n'est-elle pas : « Pile, je gagne, face, tu fraudes » ?Isn't this candidate's motto, "Heads I win, tails you're cheating?"This sentence shows how the word can be used in a metaphorical motto.Tatoeba #12830370 by Rovo, translation #12832000 by rul
- pile ou faceHeads or tailsThis sentence provides the common phrase for 'heads or tails'.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are deciding who goes first in a game.
- LucasOn tire à pile ou face ?Shall we flip a coin?
- ChloéD'accord. Je choisis pile.Okay. I choose tails.
- LucasRegarde, c'est face !Look, it's heads!
- ChloéMince, j'ai perdu.Darn, I lost.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tails” translations and entries pile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
