Esta página en tu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #15,000 más común 11 min de lectura

tapisser

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos tapisser en 30 segundos

Explicación tapisser in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'tapisser' is a verb used for home decoration. It means to put wallpaper on a wall. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Je vais tapisser ma chambre' (I am going to wallpaper my room). It is a regular '-er' verb, so it follows the same conjugation rules as 'parler' or 'manger'. At this stage, focus on the literal meaning: making a room look nice by adding paper to the walls. You might also learn the noun 'papier peint' (wallpaper) at the same time. Remember that in France, doing your own home projects is very common, so this is a useful word even for beginners to understand if they are living in a French-speaking country and talking to neighbors or landlords about their apartment.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'tapisser' in more complex sentences that describe your plans or past actions. You should be able to say things like 'Nous avons tapissé le salon le week-end dernier' (We wallpapered the living room last weekend). You should also recognize the word in the context of DIY stores. You might encounter instructions like 'Comment tapisser un mur' (How to wallpaper a wall). At this level, you start to understand the preposition 'de' used with the verb, such as 'tapisser un mur de papier bleu' (to cover a wall with blue paper). You should also learn the opposite action: 'détapisser' (to remove wallpaper), as these two actions often go together in renovation projects. It is important to distinguish this verb from 'peindre' (to paint), as they are two different ways to decorate a room.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'tapisser' in its figurative and descriptive senses. You can use it to describe nature, such as 'Les fleurs tapissent le jardin' (Flowers cover the garden). This level requires you to understand the nuance of the verb—it suggests a complete and dense covering. You will also see it in more technical contexts, like cooking: 'tapisser un moule' (to line a cake tin). You should be able to use the passive voice to describe a result: 'Le sol était tapissé de feuilles mortes' (The ground was covered with dead leaves). At this stage, you should also be aware of the noun 'tapissier' (upholsterer/wallpaperer) and the historical importance of 'tapisseries' (tapestries) in French culture, even if the verb used for making them is different. Your vocabulary should now include related tools like 'la colle' (glue) and 'la brosse' (brush).

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the B2 level, you can use 'tapisser' with precision in professional or creative writing. You understand the stylistic difference between 'tapisser', 'revêtir', and 'recouvrir'. You might use 'tapisser' to describe an overwhelming amount of something, like 'Les affiches tapissent les murs de la ville' (Posters cover the city walls). You are expected to master the conjugation in all tenses, including the subjunctive and conditional. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of wallpapering versus painting in a debate about interior design. You also recognize the word in more abstract literary contexts where it might describe a feeling or a memory 'covering' one's mind. Your understanding of the word's etymology (from 'tapis') allows you to see the connection between rugs, tapestries, and modern wallpapering techniques.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C1 level, 'tapisser' is a tool for sophisticated description. You use it to create vivid imagery in literature or high-level journalism. You might describe a sky 'tapissé d'étoiles' (carpeted with stars) or a historical analysis where 'les documents tapissent les archives' (documents line the archives). You understand the subtle connotations of the word—how it implies a certain richness, texture, or protection. You are familiar with the various types of 'tapisseries' in French history, from the Aubusson to the Gobelins, and can discuss their influence on modern decor. You can use the verb reflexively in specialized scientific or medical contexts (e.g., 'la paroi se tapisse de...') without confusion. Your use of the word is natural, and you can play with its metaphorical potential to describe anything from a dense forest floor to a room full of noise.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'tapisser' includes an awareness of its archaic uses and its place in the history of the French language. You can interpret classical literature where the word might be used to describe the luxurious lining of a carriage or a royal tent. You understand the technical nuances of 'tapisserie' as both an art form and a craft, and can use the verb 'tapisser' to describe the installation of these works in a museum setting. You are able to use the word in complex philosophical or artistic critiques, perhaps discussing how a certain style 'tapisse' our visual culture. Your command of the word allows you to use it in puns or wordplay involving its roots. You are also fully aware of the regional variations or specialized industry jargon where 'tapisser' might take on very specific meanings in textile manufacturing or architectural restoration.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

tapisser en 30 segundos

Tapisser is a common French verb meaning to wallpaper a room or cover a surface entirely.
It is a regular -er verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses for beginners.
Beyond DIY, it is used figuratively in literature to describe nature or objects covering a ground.
Commonly paired with the preposition 'de' to specify what material is being used to cover the surface.

The French verb tapisser primarily refers to the action of covering a surface, most commonly a wall, with wallpaper or a similar decorative material. At its core, the word is derived from tapis (carpet or rug), reflecting a historical period when walls were covered with heavy woven fabrics or tapestries to provide both insulation and aesthetic appeal. In modern French, while it still retains this technical DIY (Do-It-Yourself) meaning, it has also blossomed into a more poetic and figurative verb used to describe anything that covers a surface extensively, like flowers covering a meadow or stars covering the night sky.

Literal Usage: Applying wallpaper (papier peint) to the walls of a room during renovation or decoration.

Nous avons passé tout le week-end à tapisser la chambre du bébé avec des motifs de nuages.

Figurative Usage: Describing a natural phenomenon where a surface is completely obscured by something else, often used in literature.

Les feuilles mortes venaient tapisser le sol de la forêt d'un tapis d'or et de rouge.

In everyday French life, you will encounter this word frequently in the context of home improvement. France has a very strong culture of 'bricolage' (DIY), and many homeowners take pride in their ability to tapisser their own apartments. This involves specific tools like the table à tapisser (wallpapering table) and the brosse à encoller (pasting brush). Understanding this word helps you navigate the aisles of stores like Leroy Merlin or Castorama, where you might ask a salesperson for advice on the best glue to use for the specific paper you've chosen.

Il est difficile de tapisser les angles droits sans faire de bulles d'air.

Decorative Context: Used when discussing interior design trends, such as the return of 'panoramique' wallpapers that cover an entire wall with a single large landscape.

Elle a choisi de tapisser un seul pan de mur pour créer un point focal dans le salon.

Beyond the home, tapisser appears in culinary contexts occasionally, such as 'tapisser un moule' which means to line a cake tin with parchment paper or a thin layer of dough. This shows the versatility of the verb as a general term for 'lining' or 'covering' a surface to prepare it for something else. Whether you are a poet describing a field of lavender or a baker preparing a tart, this verb provides the precise imagery of a complete, protective, or decorative coating.

Pour cette recette, il faut tapisser le fond du moule avec du papier sulfurisé.

Using tapisser correctly requires an understanding of its transitiveness and the prepositions that often follow it. As a regular '-er' verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy for learners to master once they understand the context. The most common structure is tapisser [quelque chose] de [quelque chose], which means 'to cover [something] with [something]'.

Direct Object Usage: When the object is the wall or the room being covered.

Je vais tapisser le couloir demain matin avant que les meubles n'arrivent.

In the sentence above, 'le couloir' is the direct object. The verb implies the use of wallpaper because of the context of home renovation. However, if you want to specify what you are covering the surface with, you use the preposition de.

Using the Preposition 'de': This structure is essential for metaphorical or descriptive sentences.

Le jardinier a décidé de tapisser le talus de fleurs sauvages pour attirer les abeilles.

When talking about the past, the past participle tapissé can also function as an adjective. This is very common when describing the current state of a room. For example, 'une chambre tapissée de velours' (a room lined with velvet). This usage elevates the language from simple DIY talk to descriptive interior design or literature.

Les murs de l'ancienne bibliothèque étaient tapissés de vieux journaux datant de la guerre.

The Passive Voice: Often used to describe a scene where the actor is less important than the result.

Le sol était entièrement tapissé de pétales de roses après le passage du cortège.

Finally, consider the negative form. If you are removing wallpaper, you don't 'un-tapisser', you use the specific verb détapisser. This is a crucial distinction for anyone doing home renovations. You must détapisser the old paper before you can tapisser the new one. This pair of verbs is essential for any conversation involving home improvement projects in France.

Avant de tapisser, il faut impérativement détapisser l'ancien papier et poncer le mur.

The word tapisser isn't just a word found in dictionaries; it's a living part of the French linguistic landscape, heard in various contexts from the mundane to the magnificent. If you spend any time in France, especially if you are involved in renting or buying property, you will hear this word more often than you might expect.

In Real Estate and Renovation: Real estate agents often use it when describing the state of an apartment. 'Il faut tout retapisser' (Everything needs to be re-wallpapered) is a common phrase indicating that the decor is outdated.

L'agent immobilier nous a prévenus que nous devions tapisser à nouveau le salon car le papier actuel est très abîmé.

On French television, home makeover shows like Maison à vendre or D&CO frequently feature experts demonstrating how to tapisser efficiently. These shows have popularized the use of 'papier peint intissé' (non-woven wallpaper), which is easier to apply because you paste the wall instead of the paper. You'll hear the hosts saying, 'On va tapisser ce pan de mur pour donner du relief à la pièce' (We're going to wallpaper this section of wall to give the room some depth).

In Literature and Nature Documentaries: Narrators use 'tapisser' to describe the lushness of a landscape. It evokes a sense of richness and completeness.

Au printemps, les mousses viennent tapisser les rochers humides au bord du ruisseau.

In more urban settings, you might hear it in the context of street art or advertising. While 'coller des affiches' (sticking posters) is the standard term, a critic might say that posters tapissent les murs du métro (wallpaper the walls of the metro), implying that there are so many of them they have become a semi-permanent part of the surface. This shows the word's shift from a deliberate decorative act to a descriptive verb for saturation.

Les publicités pour le nouveau film tapissent tous les couloirs de la station de métro.

In the Kitchen: In cooking classes or recipe blogs, you will see instructions like 'tapisser le fond d'une terrine avec des tranches de lard' (line the bottom of a terrine with slices of bacon).

Il faut tapisser le moule de papier sulfurisé pour éviter que le gâteau ne colle.

Finally, in historical contexts, you might hear about 'tapisseries' (tapestries) like the famous Bayeux Tapestry. While the verb for making a tapestry is different (tisser), the verb tapisser is used to describe the act of hanging these historical pieces to cover the cold stone walls of a chateau. 'On a tapissé la grande salle de tentures pour le banquet' (We covered the great hall with hangings for the banquet).

For English speakers, the verb tapisser presents a few common pitfalls, ranging from pronunciation to false cognates and grammatical confusion. Understanding these early on will help you sound more natural and avoid being misunderstood by native speakers.

Confusing with 'Taper': The most common mistake is confusing 'tapisser' with 'taper' (to hit or to type). Because they both start with 'tap-', beginners often mix them up.

Incorrect: Je vais taper le mur avec du papier. (I am going to hit the wall with paper.)
Correct: Je vais tapisser le mur.

Another common error is related to the word 'carpet'. In English, 'tapestry' and 'carpet' are related to floors and walls. In French, a carpet is a tapis. However, tapisser almost never refers to putting down a carpet on a floor. For floors, we use the verb 'poser' (poser de la moquette). If you say 'Je vais tapisser le sol', a French person will imagine you are gluing wallpaper to the floor, which would be very strange!

Preposition Errors: English speakers often want to use 'avec' (with) instead of 'de' because 'with' is the natural preposition in English.

Natural: Tapisser de fleurs.
Anglicized: Tapisser avec des fleurs. (While understandable, 'de' is the standard literary and grammatical choice).

Then there is the confusion between tapisser and peindre. While both are used for decorating walls, they are never interchangeable. 'Peindre' is only for paint. If you are using wallpaper, you must use 'tapisser' or the phrase 'poser du papier peint'. Using 'peindre' for wallpaper will result in immediate confusion.

Spelling and Conjugation: Watch out for the double 's'. Some learners write 'tapiser', which would change the pronunciation of the 'i' and the 's' sound. The double 's' ensures the 's' sound remains sharp like in 'snake'.

Remember: Ta-pi-sser. Two 's' to keep the hiss!

Lastly, don't forget the difference between tapisser (the verb) and tapissier (the noun). A tapissier is a professional upholsterer or wallpaper hanger. If you say 'Je suis tapisser', you are saying 'I am to wallpaper'. You should say 'Je suis tapissier' (I am an upholsterer) or 'Je suis en train de tapisser' (I am currently wallpapering).

Le tapissier est venu ce matin pour tapisser les fauteuils du salon.

French offers a variety of verbs that share a semantic field with tapisser. Depending on whether you are talking about DIY, art, or nature, you might choose a different word to be more precise or to vary your vocabulary.

Recouvrir: This is the most general term for 'to cover'. While 'tapisser' implies a decorative layer, 'recouvrir' just means putting something over something else.

On peut recouvrir le vieux mur avec un enduit avant de le peindre.

Revêtir: A more formal or technical term for 'to coat' or 'to clad'. Used for exterior walls (revêtement de façade) or metaphorical 'clothing' of an idea.

La façade du bâtiment est revêtue de pierres calcaires.

In a decorative context, you might use orner or décorer. These verbs focus on the beauty being added rather than the physical act of covering the surface. If you say 'J'ai orné le mur', it sounds more artistic and less like a chore than 'J'ai tapissé le mur'.

Parsemer: This means 'to strew' or 'to scatter'. Use this if the surface isn't completely covered, but has things spread across it.

Le ciel était parsemé de petites étoiles brillantes.

Garnir: Often used in cooking (to garnish) or in upholstery (to stuff/fill). If you are 'lining' something with a filling, 'garnir' is the better choice.

On va garnir les fauteuils avec une mousse plus confortable.

Lastly, consider the verb moucheter (to speckle). This is very specific and describes a surface covered in small spots. It’s a great alternative to 'tapisser' if you want to describe a specific pattern, like a bird's feathers or a granite countertop. 'Le pelage du léopard est moucheté de taches noires'. This level of specificity will make your French sound much more sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

Before wallpaper existed, wealthy French families used 'tapisseries' to insulate their stone castles. The verb 'tapisser' evolved from hanging these expensive fabrics to the modern act of gluing paper.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ta.pi.se/

US /tɑ.pi.se/

Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable '-ser'.

Rima con

penser manger danser passer glacer tracer placer chasser

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it should be silent).
Pronouncing the 'ss' as a 'z' (it must be a sharp 's').
Confusing the 'i' with an 'ai' sound.
Making the 'a' sound too nasal.
Stress on the first syllable like in English 'wallpaper'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its root 'tapis' and regular ending.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the double 's' and the preposition 'de'.

Expresión oral 2/5

Simple pronunciation as long as the 'r' is kept silent.

Escucha 2/5

Clearly distinguishable from 'taper' by the extra syllable.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

Mur Papier Tapis Fleur Couvrir

Aprende después

Détapisser Papier peint Bricolage Rénovation Décorer

Avanzado

Revêtement Ustensile Escalier Acoustique Panoramique

Gramática que debes saber

Regular -er verb conjugation

Je tapisse, nous tapissons, ils tapissent.

Use of preposition 'de' for material

Tapisser le sol DE feuilles (not avec).

Passive voice with 'être'

Le mur est tapissé.

Near future construction

Je vais tapisser.

Infinitive after verbs of preference

J'aime tapisser.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

Je veux tapisser ma chambre.

I want to wallpaper my room.

Infinitive after 'vouloir'.

Tu tapisses le mur ?

Are you wallpapering the wall?

Present tense, 2nd person singular.

Elle aime tapisser.

She likes wallpapering.

Verb expressing a preference.

Nous tapissons le salon.

We are wallpapering the living room.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Le papier pour tapisser est bleu.

The paper for wallpapering is blue.

Preposition 'pour' followed by infinitive.

Ils vont tapisser demain.

They are going to wallpaper tomorrow.

Near future with 'aller'.

C'est facile de tapisser ?

Is it easy to wallpaper?

Impersonal 'c'est' + adjective + de + infinitive.

Je ne veux pas tapisser.

I don't want to wallpaper.

Negative construction 'ne... pas'.

J'ai tapissé la cuisine hier.

I wallpapered the kitchen yesterday.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

On doit détapisser avant de tapisser.

We must remove the wallpaper before wallpapering.

Contrast between 'détapisser' and 'tapisser'.

Il va tapisser le couloir en gris.

He is going to wallpaper the hallway in gray.

Specifying color with 'en'.

Voulez-vous m'aider à tapisser ?

Do you want to help me wallpaper?

Verb 'aider' followed by 'à' + infinitive.

Elle a choisi de tapisser un seul mur.

She chose to wallpaper only one wall.

Verb 'choisir de' + infinitive.

Nous tapissons pour cacher les trous.

We are wallpapering to hide the holes.

Purpose expressed with 'pour'.

C'est un métier de tapisser les murs.

Wallpapering walls is a trade.

Using the infinitive as a subject.

Est-ce que tu as fini de tapisser ?

Have you finished wallpapering?

Verb 'finir de' + infinitive.

Les fleurs sauvages tapissent toute la colline.

Wild flowers cover the whole hill.

Figurative use in nature.

Il faut tapisser le fond du moule de beurre.

You must line the bottom of the mold with butter.

Culinary context.

Le sol de la forêt était tapissé de feuilles rousses.

The forest floor was carpeted with reddish leaves.

Passive voice with 'de' for the material.

Elle a décidé de tapisser son bureau de photos.

She decided to cover her office with photos.

Metaphorical covering of a surface.

On tapissait autrefois les murs de tissus lourds.

In the past, walls were lined with heavy fabrics.

Imperfect tense for historical habits.

Le ciel se tapissait de nuages sombres.

The sky was becoming covered with dark clouds.

Reflexive form 'se tapisser'.

Ils ont tapissé la salle de réception pour le mariage.

They decorated the reception hall for the wedding.

General decorative use.

Il est plus rapide de peindre que de tapisser.

It is faster to paint than to wallpaper.

Comparison 'plus... que'.

Les publicités tapissent littéralement les couloirs du métro.

Advertisements literally line the subway corridors.

Adverb 'littéralement' adding emphasis.

Le décorateur propose de tapisser le plafond pour plus d'originalité.

The decorator suggests wallpapering the ceiling for more originality.

Verb 'proposer de' + infinitive.

Bien que ce soit difficile, il a voulu tapisser l'escalier lui-même.

Although it is difficult, he wanted to wallpaper the stairs himself.

Conjunction 'bien que' + subjunctive.

Le sol était si tapissé de neige qu'on ne voyait plus le chemin.

The ground was so covered with snow that the path was no longer visible.

Consecutive clause 'si... que'.

Elle a horreur de tapisser car elle déteste la colle.

She hates wallpapering because she hates the glue.

Expression 'avoir horreur de'.

Les murs de la grotte sont tapissés de cristaux naturels.

The cave walls are lined with natural crystals.

Scientific/natural description.

Il faudrait tapisser cette pièce pour améliorer l'acoustique.

This room should be wallpapered to improve the acoustics.

Conditional tense for a suggestion.

L'artiste a choisi de tapisser la galerie de journaux anciens.

The artist chose to line the gallery with old newspapers.

Artistic context.

Le poète décrit une prairie tapissée d'un velours de mousse.

The poet describes a meadow carpeted with a velvet of moss.

Highly descriptive, literary style.

Les souvenirs venaient tapisser son esprit de mélancolie.

Memories came to line his mind with melancholy.

Abstract, metaphorical usage.

Il est impératif que le support soit propre avant de tapisser.

It is imperative that the surface be clean before wallpapering.

Subjunctive after 'il est impératif que'.

Les algues tapissent les fonds marins de cette région.

Seaweed lines the seabed of this region.

Biological/Geographical description.

Cette technique permet de tapisser sans laisser de joints apparents.

This technique allows for wallpapering without leaving visible seams.

Technical precision.

On ne saurait tapisser une pièce humide sans un traitement préalable.

One cannot wallpaper a damp room without prior treatment.

Formal negative 'ne saurait' + infinitive.

La marquise fit tapisser ses appartements de soie lyonnaise.

The marchioness had her apartments lined with Lyonnaise silk.

Causative construction 'faire' + infinitive.

L'obscurité tapissait les moindres recoins de la vieille demeure.

Darkness lined the smallest corners of the old house.

Personification of darkness.

L'ouvrage est tapissé d'illustrations d'une finesse remarquable.

The book is filled with illustrations of remarkable finesse.

Metaphorical use for a book's content.

Les parois de l'estomac se tapissent d'un mucus protecteur.

The walls of the stomach are lined with protective mucus.

Specialized anatomical usage.

Elle s'est ingéniée à tapisser son récit de références érudites.

She took great pains to pepper her narrative with scholarly references.

Reflexive verb 's'ingénier à'.

Le silence, lourd et épais, tapissait la salle d'audience.

The silence, heavy and thick, lined the courtroom.

Abstract sensory description.

Il convient de tapisser les parois intérieures pour une isolation optimale.

It is appropriate to line the interior walls for optimal insulation.

Formal expression 'il convient de'.

Les murs, jadis tapissés de splendeur, tombaient maintenant en ruine.

The walls, once lined with splendor, were now falling into ruin.

Poetic contrast.

On peut tapisser un meuble pour lui redonner une seconde vie.

One can upholster a piece of furniture to give it a second life.

Broad definition including furniture.

La rosée du matin venait tapisser les toiles d'araignée.

The morning dew was lining the spider webs.

Delicate natural imagery.

Colocaciones comunes

Tapisser un mur

Tapisser de fleurs

Tapisser le fond

Tapisser de photos

Table à tapisser

Brosse à tapisser

Tapisser de velours

Tapisser de neige

Entièrement tapissé

Difficile à tapisser

Frases Comunes

Tapisser les murs

— The standard way to say you are wallpapering a room.

On a passé la journée à tapisser les murs.

Tapisser de baisers

— A poetic way to say covering someone with kisses.

La mère tapisse le visage de son bébé de baisers.

Se tapisser dans l'ombre

— To hide or lurk in the shadows (figurative).

Le chat se tapisse dans l'ombre pour chasser.

Tapisser le sol

— To cover the floor, usually with leaves or flowers.

Les feuilles mortes tapissent le sol.

Tapisser un coffre

— To line the inside of a trunk or chest with fabric.

Il a tapissé le coffre de tissu soyeux.

Tapisser d'affiches

— To cover a surface with posters or flyers.

Ils ont tapissé la ville d'affiches électorales.

Tapisser le plafond

— An unusual but possible act of wallpapering a ceiling.

Il est courageux de vouloir tapisser le plafond !

Tapisser de mousse

— When moss grows over a stone or tree trunk.

La vieille pierre est tapissée de mousse verte.

Tapisser de miroirs

— To cover walls with mirrors, often in a gym or palace.

La galerie est tapissée de miroirs immenses.

Tapisser de journaux

— A cheap or artistic way to cover walls with old newspapers.

Il a tapissé son atelier de vieux journaux.

Se confunde a menudo con

tapisser vs Taper

Means to hit or to type. 'Tapisser' is much longer and specific to covering surfaces.

tapisser vs Tisser

Means to weave. While related, 'tapisser' is about applying the finished product to a wall.

tapisser vs Tapissier

This is the person (the professional) who does the wallpapering or upholstery.

Modismos y expresiones

"Tapisser le fond de l'air"

— A literary way to describe a pervasive atmosphere or scent.

L'odeur du jasmin tapissait le fond de l'air.

Literary

"Être tapissé de dettes"

— To be completely covered or overwhelmed by debts (rare but expressive).

Son avenir était tapissé de dettes insurmontables.

Metaphorical

"Tapisser les méninges"

— To fill one's mind with thoughts or information.

Toutes ces révisions lui tapissent les méninges.

Informal

"Faire tapisserie"

— To be a wallflower; to sit at a party without being asked to dance.

Elle a fait tapisserie toute la soirée au bal.

Common

"Tapisser de louanges"

— To shower someone with excessive praise.

Le directeur l'a tapissé de louanges après son succès.

Formal

"Tapisser le chemin de roses"

— To make someone's life or path very easy and pleasant.

On ne peut pas toujours lui tapisser le chemin de roses.

Poetic

"Tapisser d'or"

— To cover something in gold, often describing a sunset.

Le soleil couchant tapissait d'or la surface du lac.

Literary

"Tapisser de silence"

— To describe a place that is completely and profoundly quiet.

La neige tapissait la ville de silence.

Poetic

"Tapisser la gorge"

— To coat the throat, often used in medical or culinary contexts.

Le miel vient tapisser la gorge irritée.

Neutral

"Tapisser de mensonges"

— To hide the truth with a layer of many lies.

Il a tapissé son discours de mensonges habiles.

Metaphorical

Fácil de confundir

tapisser vs Peindre

Both are used to decorate walls.

Peindre uses liquid paint; tapisser uses paper or fabric and glue.

Je vais peindre le plafond mais tapisser les murs.

tapisser vs Coller

Wallpapering involves glue.

Coller is a general verb for sticking anything. Tapisser is specifically for wall coverings.

Je colle un timbre, mais je tapisse un mur.

tapisser vs Revêtir

Both mean to cover a surface.

Revêtir is more formal and used for structural coatings like stone or metal.

On revêt une façade de briques.

tapisser vs Couvrir

General synonym.

Couvrir is broad; tapisser implies a decorative, continuous layer.

Couvrir un livre vs Tapisser un mur.

tapisser vs Garnir

Both involve lining something.

Garnir is usually for filling an interior or adding a garnish in cooking.

Garnir une dinde vs Tapisser un moule.

Patrones de oraciones

S + vouloir + tapisser + O

Je veux tapisser ma chambre.

S + avoir + tapissé + O

Nous avons tapissé le salon.

S + tapisser + O + de + M

Elle tapisse le mur de photos.

O + être + tapissé + de + M

Le sol est tapissé de feuilles.

S + se + tapisser + de + M

Le ciel se tapisse de nuages.

Il est + ADJ + de + tapisser

Il est difficile de tapisser les angles.

S + faire + tapisser + O

Elle fait tapisser son bureau.

S + s'ingénier à + tapisser

Il s'ingénie à tapisser son texte de métaphores.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Tapis (Rug/Carpet)

Tapisserie (Tapestry)

Tapissier (Upholsterer)

Tapissage (The act of wallpapering)

Papier peint (Wallpaper)

Verbos

Détapisser (To remove wallpaper)

Retapisser (To re-wallpaper)

Tisser (To weave - related root)

Adjetivos

Tapissé (Wallpapered/Covered)

Tapissier (Relating to upholstery)

Relacionado

Papier (Paper)

Colle (Glue)

Mur (Wall)

Décoration (Decoration)

Bricolage (DIY)

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in the context of home renovation and descriptive literature.

Errores comunes

Je vais tapisser avec du papier. → Je vais tapisser de papier.
In French, 'de' is the preferred preposition to indicate the material used for covering.
Il faut taper la chambre. → Il faut tapisser la chambre.
'Taper' means to hit or type. 'Tapisser' means to wallpaper.
Je vais tapisser le sol avec une moquette. → Je vais poser de la moquette.
'Tapisser' is rarely used for floors unless it's figurative (like leaves or flowers).
Le mur est tapisé. → Le mur est tapissé.
You need the double 's' for the correct 's' sound and spelling.
Je suis tapisser. → Je suis tapissier (noun) or Je tapisse (verb).
Don't confuse the infinitive of the verb with the noun for the profession.

Consejos

Remember the Preposition

Always use 'de' when specifying the material. 'Tapisser de fleurs' sounds much more native than 'tapisser avec des fleurs'.

DIY Vocabulary

Learn 'détapisser' at the same time. You can't tapisser a wall that already has old paper on it!

The Silent R

The final 'r' is silent. It sounds like 'ta-pee-say'. This is true for all -er verbs in the infinitive.

Literary Flair

Use 'tapisser' in your writing to describe nature. 'La neige tapissait le village' is more poetic than 'Il y avait de la neige'.

Shopping

In a store, look for 'colle à tapisser' if you need wallpaper glue.

French Chic

Mention 'un pan de mur tapissé' when discussing modern French interior design trends.

Tapestry Link

Connect it to the English word 'tapestry'. It's the same root!

Culinary Use

In recipes, 'tapisser le fond' means to line the bottom of a pan.

Not 'Taper'

Don't say 'Je vais taper le mur' (I'm going to hit the wall) when you mean 'tapisser'.

Visualizing

Think of the word as 'carpeting' a surface, whether it's a wall or a floor.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Tapestry'. When you 'tapisser', you are acting like a person hanging a 'tapestry' on the wall, even if it's just modern paper.

Asociación visual

Imagine a giant 'Tapis' (rug) being glued onto a wall. The word starts with 'tapis', so just visualize a rug on a wall.

Word Web

Mur Papier Colle Tapis Décorer Chambre Brosse Rénover

Desafío

Try to describe three things in your house that you could 'tapisser' (a wall, a box, a cake tin) using full French sentences.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Old French word 'tapis', which originally referred to a heavy fabric used to cover tables or walls. This word itself comes from the Late Latin 'tapetium' and the Greek 'tapetion', meaning a small rug or carpet.

Significado original: To cover a wall or a surface with a heavy woven fabric (tapestry).

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities; 'tapisser' is a neutral, technical, and descriptive verb.

In the UK and US, wallpapering is often seen as a difficult chore, whereas in France, it is a very common DIY activity that people take pride in.

The Bayeux Tapestry (La Tapisserie de Bayeux) The Gobelins Manufactory in Paris Maison & Objet (Design fair featuring wall coverings)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Home Renovation

Tapisser un mur
Détapisser l'ancien papier
Acheter de la colle
Mesurer les lés

Nature Description

Tapissé de fleurs
Tapissé de mousse
Tapissé de feuilles
Tapissé de neige

Cooking

Tapisser le moule
Tapisser de papier sulfurisé
Tapisser de lard
Tapisser le fond

Art & Advertising

Tapisser d'affiches
Tapisser de photos
Tapisser de journaux
Tapisser la galerie

Literature

Tapisser de silence
Tapisser d'étoiles
Tapisser de souvenirs
Tapisser d'or

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que tu préfères peindre ou tapisser tes murs ?"

"As-tu déjà essayé de tapisser une pièce tout seul ?"

"Quelle couleur choisirais-tu pour tapisser ton salon ?"

"Est-ce que le papier peint est encore à la mode dans ton pays ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui pourrait tapisser le sol d'une forêt en automne ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez la chambre de vos rêves. Quels motifs utiliseriez-vous pour la tapisser ?

Racontez une expérience de bricolage où vous avez dû tapisser ou peindre quelque chose.

Imaginez un paysage fantastique. De quoi le sol est-il tapissé ?

Pourquoi certaines personnes préfèrent-elles tapisser plutôt que de laisser les murs nus ?

Si vous deviez tapisser votre bureau de citations inspirantes, lesquelles choisiriez-vous ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

While most common for walls, it can also apply to furniture (upholstery), floors (figuratively with leaves), or even cooking (lining a mold).

'Tapisser' is the single-word verb. 'Poser du papier peint' is a common phrase. They mean exactly the same thing in a DIY context.

It uses the auxiliary 'avoir'. For example: 'J'ai tapissé', 'Nous avons tapissé'.

No, for carpets on the floor, use 'poser de la moquette' or 'poser un tapis'. 'Tapisser' is for walls or lining surfaces.

Yes, especially because DIY culture is very strong. You will see it in magazines, TV shows, and stores.

Usually 'de'. Example: 'Tapisser le mur DE papier bleu'.

A professional who wallpapers or upholsters furniture.

Yes, very often in literature to describe flowers, moss, or snow covering the ground.

The verb 'détapisser', which means to remove wallpaper.

Yes, it is a regular first-group (-er) verb.

Regístrate gratis para ver consejos y notas