attacher
/a.ta.ʃe/
To tie up in French is attacher.
attacher is used to mean securing something with a rope, string or other means of fastening.
Meaning: to secure with rope, etc. (verb)
Which one should you use?
While attacher is used to tie or secure something, it is a more general term than nouer, which refers specifically to the act of tying a knot.
How does it change in a sentence?
attacher is a regular -er verb. When using the past participle to mean 'tied' or 'attached', use the form attaché.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a.ta.ʃe/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- Attacher is a linguistic doublet of attaquer, meaning 'to attack'. Both verbs evolved from the same root describing the act of sticking or fastening to something.
- The phrase être attaché à describes an emotional bond rather than a physical one. Saying je suis attaché à toi means 'I am fond of you' or 'I am devoted to you'.
- In a modern context, attacher is frequently used for digital attachments. An email attachment is called une pièce jointe, but the act of adding it is often described as attacher un fichier.
Examples in context
- Merci de rassembler ces câbles et de les attacher correctement.Thank you for tying up these cables properly.
- Je vais ficeler le colis avant de le poster.I will tie up the package before sending it.
- Peux-tu attacher tes cheveux avant de sortir?Can you tie up your hair before going out?
- Il faut attacher le colis avec une corde.The package must be tied up with a rope.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are preparing some wood for a project in the garden.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu peux attacher ces bûches ?Can you tie up these logs?
- EmmaOui, je vais utiliser cette corde.Yes, I will use this rope.
- GabrielFais attention à bien les attacher.Make sure to tie them up well.
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas, Gabriel, c'est fait.Don't worry, Gabriel, it's done.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry attacher, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries attacher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
