piège
/pjɛʒ/
The French word for 'trap' is piège.
piège refers to a device or a trick used to catch a person or an animal. You can also use the related verb piéger, which means to trap or to trick someone.
Which one should you use?
While piège is the general term, you may encounter other words depending on the context: embuscade refers specifically to an ambush or a trap set to surprise or attack someone, whereas un traquenard is an informal way to refer to a setup or a trap targeting someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun piège is masculine. You should use the masculine articles le piège for 'the trap' or un piège for 'a trap'.
How do you pronounce it?
/pjɛʒ/
Did you know?
- The word piège is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pedicure'. Both derive from the Latin pedis meaning 'foot' because early traps were designed specifically to catch the feet of animals.
- The word traquenard is more than just a synonym for 'trap'. It carries a specific military connotation of a curated ambush designed to leave the victim with no possible escape route.
- French reality TV and game shows use the verb piéger to describe a 'twist'. It refers to a hidden rule or sudden change in the game intended to trick the contestants.
Examples in context
- Le chasseur a placé un piège pour attraper un renard.The hunter set a trap to catch a fox.
- Les soldats se sont retrouvés dans une embuscade tendue par les rebelles.The soldiers found themselves in a trap set by the rebels.
- Il est tombé dans un guet-apens tendu par son rival amoureux.He fell into a trap set by his romantic rival.
- L'enquêteur est tombé dans le traquenard mis en place par les criminels.The investigator fell into the trap set up by the criminals.
- C'est un piège !It's a trap!
- Le chasseur a posé un piège.The hunter set a trap.
- Attention, c'est un piège !Watch out, it's a trap!
- Le rat est tombé dans le piège.The rat fell into the trap.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are walking in a forest.
- LucasRegarde, il y a un piège par terre.Look, there is a trap on the ground.
- ChloéTu as raison, Lucas, fais attention.You are right, Lucas, be careful.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est pour les renards ?Is it for foxes?
- ChloéProbablement, ne t'en approche pas.Probably, don't go near it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry piège, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piège, CC BY-SA 4.0.
