scotch
/skɔtʃ/
The French word for to bind with adhesive tape is scotch.
In everyday French, the brand name Scotch is used as a generic noun for adhesive tape. If you need to refer specifically to duct tape, use ruban adhésif toilé.
Meaning: to bind with adhesive tape (verb)
Which one should you use?
While Scotch refers to adhesive tape, bande is the term used for magnetic or video tapes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the term scotch is more commonly used as a generic term for tape.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to an unspecified amount of adhesive tape, use the partitive article du with Scotch. The word ruban is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/skɔtʃ/
Did you know?
- If you ask for scotch in a French bar, you will be served a glass of whisky from Scotland rather than adhesive tape.
- In France, using the word scotch as a verb is very common in casual speech, but it is technically a brand name acting as a verb.
- While scotch is common, using the brand name to mean 'tape' is actually a form of 'genericide' in French. It is a linguistic phenomenon where a brand name becomes the standard word for a category of objects.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin du Scotch.I need the tape.Tatoeba #6287706 by Aiji, translation #2631790 by Joseph
- Ce scotch ne colle pas.This tape isn't sticky.Tatoeba #1184469 by sacredceltic, translation #735354 by Ronaldonl
- Pouvez-vous m'apporter une bande adhésive, s'il vous plaît?Can you bring me some tape, please?
- J'ai besoin d'un ruban adhésif pour fixer cette affiche.I need some tape to stick this poster.
- Pouvez-vous me prêter un peu de scotch?Can you lend me some tape?
- Tu as du ruban pour réparer mon livre?Do you have some tape to fix my book?
- Est-ce que tu pourrais me passer un peu de scotch?Could you pass me some tape?
- Est-ce que tu as du sparadrap pour maintenir cette attelle en place?Do you have any tape to hold this splint in place?
- Je vais chercher du tape pour réparer cette boîte.I'm going to get some tape to fix this box.
- Peux-tu scotcher ce carton ?Can you tape this cardboard box?
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are packing boxes for a move.
- EmmaNathan, il faut scotcher cette boîte.Nathan, we need to tape this box.
- NathanD'accord, où est le scotch ?Okay, where is the tape?
- EmmaIl est sur la table de la cuisine.It is on the kitchen table.
- NathanJe l'ai trouvé, je m'en occupe.I found it, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry scotch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
