pince à cravate
The English phrase "tie bar" translates to French as pince à cravate.
While pince à cravate is the standard term, you may also see clip de cravate used to refer to the same accessory.
What does it mean word for word?
The term pince à cravate is composed of pince (clamp/clip), à (for/with) and cravate (tie).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pince is feminine, so the indefinite article used is une pince à cravate.
Did you know?
- The word cravate originates from the word for 'Croat'. In the 17th century, French soldiers noticed the distinctive neck scarves worn by Croatian mercenaries and adopted the style.
- In formal French menswear, there is a distinction between the pince à cravate, which clips onto the shirt, and the épingle à cravate, which is a decorative tie pin that pierces the fabric.
- While English uses 'bar' to describe the shape, French uses pince to describe the action of the tool, focusing on the 'pinch' rather than the 'bar'.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté une magnifique barrette de cravate pour mon mariage.I bought a beautiful tie clip for my wedding.
- Je porte souvent mon pince-cravate pour les occasions spéciales.I often wear my tie clamp for special occasions.
- Il a acheté une nouvelle pince à cravate.He bought a new tie bar.
- Ta pince à cravate est très élégante.Your tie bar is very elegant.
- Où est ma pince à cravate en argent ?Where is my silver tie bar?
Example conversation
Hugo is getting ready for a wedding in front of a mirror.
- HugoLéa, est-ce que tu vois ma pince à cravate ?Léa, do you see my tie bar?
- LéaElle est sur la commode, Hugo.It is on the dresser, Hugo.
- HugoMerci, j'ai failli l'oublier.Thanks, I almost forgot it.
- LéaTu es prêt pour la soirée.You are ready for the evening.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cravate, pince, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
