taille
/taj/feminine
The French word for the English phrase "waist" is taille.
It is also an idiomatic way to describe a very slim waist when used in the phrase taille de guêpe (wasp waist).
Meaning: part of the body (noun)
Which one should you use?
Note that taille is polysemous and can mean both "waist" and "size" depending on the context of your sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate a specific level or position at the waist, you should use the prepositional phrase à la taille.
How do you pronounce it?
/taj/
Did you know?
- The word taille is used in French to describe the height of a person, meaning 'stature'. While English uses 'size' for objects, French uses this same word for both a person's waist and their overall height.
- In historical French contexts, la taille referred to a direct land tax paid to the crown. The term comes from the idea of the tax being 'cut' or assigned to a specific portion of the population.
- The verb tailler can mean 'to prune' a hedge or 'to cut' a diamond. This is the same root used for taille when referring to the waist.
Examples in context
- Il lui enlaça la taille.He wrapped his arms around her waist.This sentence is useful for describing an action involving the waist.Tatoeba #2218636 by sacredceltic, translation #2213933 by Hybrid
- Elle a une taille de guêpe.She has a wasp waist.This sentence demonstrates the idiom for a very slim waist.Tatoeba #2458086 by nimfeo, translation #10704144 by AlanF_US
- L'eau m'arrive jusqu'à la taille.The water is waist-deep.This sentence shows how to describe a depth or level reaching the waist.Tatoeba #2321717 by sacredceltic, translation #2321296 by Hybrid
- elle a une taille fineShe has a slender waist
- je porte une robe cintrée à la tailleI'm wearing a fitted waist dress
- J'ai besoin de perdre un peu de ventreI need to lose a bit of waist/belly
- Je fais du sport pour garder une taille fineI exercise to maintain a slim waist
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is helping Lucas find the right size of trousers.
- LéaEst-ce que c'est trop large à la taille ?Is it too wide at the waist?
- LucasOui, c'est un peu trop grand pour ma taille.Yes, it is a bit too big for my waist.
- LéaOn va essayer une taille plus petite alors.We will try a smaller size then.
- LucasMerci, Léa. C'est beaucoup mieux comme ça.Thanks, Léa. It is much better like this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waist” translations and entries taille, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
