attaché
/a.ta.ʃe/
The English word "tethered" can be translated into French as attaché.
The term refers to something that is tied to a fixed object with a rope or chain to keep it in one place.
Which one should you use?
While attaché is a general term for being tied or attached, if you are specifically referring to a boat that is tethered to a dock or buoy, you should use amarré.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form and its spelling change depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use attaché for the masculine singular, attachée for the feminine singular, attachés for the masculine plural and attachées for the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of three syllables: /a.ta.ʃe/.
Did you know?
- In French, the verb s'attacher is used to describe falling in love with someone, meaning you have become emotionally 'tethered' to them.
- In a professional context, an attaché is not a physical object tied to something, but a specific type of diplomat or official assigned to an embassy.
- The specialized term for tethering a boat, amarré, comes from the same root as the English word 'moor'.
Examples in context
- Je dois attacher mon chien avec une longe.I need to tether my dog with a leash.
- Mon vélo est attaché à un poteau.My bike is tethered to a pole.
- Le chien est attaché au poteau.The dog is tethered to the post.
- Le bateau est attaché au quai.The boat is tethered to the quay.
- Le cheval est attaché à l'arbre.The horse is tethered to the tree.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are walking in a park and see a dog.
- ManonRegarde, le petit chien est attaché à ce banc.Look, the little dog is tethered to this bench.
- NathanIl a l'air d'être très calme.He seems to be very calm.
- ManonOui, mais la corde est très courte.Yes, but the rope is very short.
- NathanC'est vrai, il ne peut pas bouger.That's true, he cannot move.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry attaché, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
