At the A1 level, pincer is a useful verb to describe basic physical actions. You will mostly use it to talk about the simple act of pinching someone or something with your fingers. For example, if a child pinches a friend, they are using this verb. It is often taught alongside body parts (la main, le bras, le doigt). At this stage, you should focus on the present tense conjugation, but be careful with the 'nous' form: 'nous pinçons.' You might also see it in very simple instructions, like 'pincez le papier.' It is a concrete verb that helps you describe touch and physical interaction in a very direct way. You don't need to worry about the idiomatic or culinary uses yet; just think of it as the physical action of using your thumb and index finger to hold something tightly.
At the A2 level, you begin to see pincer in more specific contexts, particularly in the kitchen and in basic idiomatic expressions. This is the level where you learn that pincer is essential for baking. If you are following a recipe for a French apple tart, the instructions might tell you to 'pincer les bords de la pâte.' This means you are sealing the edges. You will also encounter the reflexive form 'se pincer.' This is often used in the context of dreams or surprise: 'Je me pince pour voir si je rêve' (I pinch myself to see if I am dreaming). You should also be aware of the 'pincement au cœur,' which is a common way to describe a small pang of sadness or nostalgia. Your understanding of the verb expands from a simple physical action to a purposeful technique and an expression of emotion.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using pincer in its metaphorical and colloquial senses. You will likely hear 'se faire pincer,' which is an informal way to say 'to get caught' or 'to get nabbed' by someone in authority, like a teacher or the police. For example, 'Il s'est fait pincer en train de copier son voisin.' You will also learn about 'pincer sans rire,' which describes a dry, deadpan sense of humor. This is a key cultural concept in France. At this level, you should also be able to use the verb to describe the weather: 'Il fait un froid qui pince.' This adds more color and variety to your descriptions of the environment. You are moving away from just 'pinching skin' and into 'pinching' as a way to describe life's little catches and the biting nature of the world around you.
At the B2 level, pincer becomes a tool for more sophisticated descriptions. You will use it in musical contexts to describe the technique of plucking strings on instruments like the harp, guitar, or harpsichord. You understand the difference between 'pincer' and 'frotter' (bowing). You might also encounter the word in literary descriptions, such as 'pincer les lèvres' to show someone's disapproval or internal struggle. Your vocabulary should now include 'une pince' (pliers or a clip) and how the verb relates to these tools. You can discuss the nuances of the word in different registers, knowing that 'se faire pincer' is informal while 'pincer les cordes' is technical and formal. You are expected to use the correct spelling (cedilla) in all tenses, including the 'imparfait' (nous pincions, but je pinçais).
At the C1 level, you explore the deep stylistic and historical nuances of pincer. You might find it in classical French literature used to describe a character's sharp, biting wit or a particularly cold, 'pincé' (stiff/stuck-up) personality. You understand how 'pincer' can describe a very specific type of physical discomfort or a precision in manufacturing and tailoring (creating darts in fabric). You can use the word to discuss the ethics of 'pincement' in various contexts or analyze its use in complex metaphors. You are aware of its etymological roots and how it has evolved from a simple physical descriptor to a word that can convey social status, artistic technique, and psychological states. Your use of the word is fluid, and you can switch between its culinary, musical, and colloquial meanings with ease and precision.
At the C2 level, your mastery of pincer is absolute. You can appreciate its use in archaic texts and understand the subtle shifts in meaning over centuries. You might use the verb to describe high-level concepts in acoustics or physics (the 'pincement' of a wave or a string). You are capable of using the word in wordplay, puns, and high-level rhetoric. You understand the most obscure idioms and can use 'pincer' to describe the most minute details of a person's facial expressions or a chef's technique. You can also discuss the linguistic relationship between 'pincer' and its cognates in other Romance languages. For you, 'pincer' is not just a verb; it is a versatile linguistic instrument that you can play with the same precision as a musician plucking a harp string.

pincer 30秒で

  • Pincer means to pinch with fingers, pluck musical strings, or seal dough edges.
  • It is also used for the biting sensation of cold or getting caught/arrested.
  • The conjugation requires a cedilla (nous pinçons) to keep the soft 's' sound.
  • Commonly found in cooking, music, and colloquial French contexts.
The French verb pincer primarily translates to the English verb 'to pinch,' but its application in the French language spans a fascinating spectrum from the literal physical act to culinary precision, musical technique, and even colloquial slang for being caught by the authorities. At its most basic level, pincer describes the action of gripping something tightly between two surfaces, typically the thumb and forefinger. This could be a playful pinch on a child's cheek or the painful pinch of a tight shoe. However, the word truly shines in the French kitchen. When a baker prepares a 'tarte' or a 'chausson,' they must pincer la pâte. This involves joining the edges of the dough together to create a seal, ensuring that the delicious filling does not escape during the baking process. This culinary usage is so specific that it often appears in professional pastry manuals alongside terms like 'chiqueter.'
Physical Action
To grip skin or an object between the fingers, often causing a small amount of pressure or pain.
Culinary Technique
To seal the edges of pastry dough by pressing them together with fingers or a specialized tool.
Beyond the physical, pincer is the standard verb used for playing stringed instruments where the strings are plucked rather than bowed, such as the harp or the guitar. In a more metaphorical sense, the word is used to describe the biting sensation of extreme cold; 'un froid qui pince' refers to weather so chilly it feels like it is nipping at your skin.

Il faut bien pincer les bords de la tarte pour que la confiture ne coule pas.

In the realm of law and order, to be 'pincé' is a common informal way of saying someone has been caught or arrested red-handed. If a thief is 'pincé par la police,' they have been nabbed. This versatility makes pincer an essential verb for learners to master, as it bridges the gap between everyday physical movement and specialized professional jargon. Culturally, the act of pinching dough is a rite of passage for many French children learning to bake with their grandparents, cementing the word's place in familial and domestic life. Whether you are discussing a musician's dexterity, a chef's pastry skills, or a criminal's bad luck, pincer provides the precise nuance needed to convey the action of 'catching' or 'pressing' with intent.
Using pincer correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a regular '-er' verb, though one must be mindful of the spelling change before 'a' or 'o' to maintain the soft 's' sound (nous pinçons). In most contexts, it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. For example, 'Elle pince son frère' (She pinches her brother). When using it in a culinary context, the object is usually 'la pâte' (the dough) or 'les bords' (the edges).
Direct Object Usage
Subject + pincer + Object (e.g., Je pince le papier).
Reflexive Usage
Se pincer (to pinch oneself), often used to express disbelief or to check if one is dreaming.
The reflexive form se pincer is particularly common in idiomatic expressions. If someone wins the lottery, they might say, 'Je dois me pincer pour y croire' (I have to pinch myself to believe it).

Quand il a vu le prix, il s'est pincé les lèvres pour ne pas crier.

Another nuanced use involves 'pincer les lèvres' (to purse or pinch one's lips), which indicates disapproval, concentration, or an attempt to suppress an emotion. In musical terminology, you would say 'pincer les cordes d'une harpe' (to pluck the strings of a harp). This distinguishes the action from 'frotter' (to rub/bow) or 'frapper' (to strike, as with a piano). When describing the weather, pincer is often used impersonally or to describe the air: 'L'air pince ce matin' (The air is biting this morning). In passive constructions, especially in informal French, 'se faire pincer' is the go-to phrase for getting caught. 'Il s'est fait pincer en train de tricher' (He got caught cheating). This range of sentence structures allows the speaker to move from very formal descriptions of classical music to very informal descriptions of everyday mishaps.
The word pincer resonates through various spheres of French life, making it a staple of both professional and casual conversation. In the early morning hours, you will hear it in 'boulangeries' across France. A head baker might instruct an apprentice to pincer the edges of a 'galette des rois' to ensure the 'fève' stays hidden inside. In this setting, the word is synonymous with craftsmanship and tradition.
In the Kitchen
Used by bakers and pastry chefs to describe sealing dough.
In Music Schools
Used by teachers of the guitar, lute, or harp to describe plucking technique.
Switch scenes to a primary school playground, and you'll hear children complaining, 'Il m'a pincé !' (He pinched me!). Here, it is the language of minor conflict and playground drama.

Le vent pince vraiment fort sur la côte normande.

In a more adult, perhaps slightly more cynical context, you might hear 'pincer' in detective novels or police dramas ('polars'). A detective might remark, 'On va finir par le pincer,' meaning 'We'll eventually catch him.' Furthermore, in the world of fashion and tailoring, pincer can refer to taking in fabric or creating a 'pince' (a dart) to make a garment fit better. This versatility means that whether you are watching a cooking show like 'Le Meilleur Pâtissier,' attending a classical concert, or simply walking through a cold Parisian street, the word pincer will inevitably find its way into your ears. It is a word that captures the tactile nature of French reality, from the softness of dough to the sharpness of a winter breeze.
For English speakers learning French, the verb pincer presents a few subtle traps. The most common error is a spelling mistake during conjugation. Because the verb ends in '-cer,' it requires a 'cedilla' (ç) when the ending begins with 'a' or 'o.' Many students write 'nous pincons' instead of the correct nous pinçons. Without the cedilla, the 'c' would be pronounced as a hard 'k,' which is incorrect.
Spelling Error
Forgetting the cedilla in the 'nous' form of the present tense (nous pinçons).
Confusion with 'Piquer'
Confusing 'pincer' (to pinch) with 'piquer' (to sting or prick).
Another frequent mistake is using pincer when piquer (to sting or prick) is more appropriate. For instance, a bee 'pique,' it doesn't 'pince.' Similarly, a needle 'pique' the skin. Use pincer only when there is a gripping or squeezing motion between two points.

Attention à ne pas écrire pincons ; il faut toujours un cédille pour garder le son doux.

In the context of the idiom 'pincer sans rire,' English speakers often try to translate 'deadpan' literally. Using 'pincer sans rire' is the idiomatic way to describe that specific type of humor. Learners also sometimes confuse 'pincer' with 'serrer' (to tighten or squeeze). While they are related, 'serrer' is more general (like shaking hands or tightening a screw), whereas 'pincer' is very specific to the tips of the fingers or a similar tool. Finally, in the culinary world, don't confuse pincer with pétrir (to knead). Pinching is for sealing or decorating the edges, while kneading is the process of working the whole mass of dough. Keeping these distinctions in mind will ensure your French sounds more natural and precise.
To enrich your vocabulary beyond pincer, it is helpful to explore synonyms and related verbs that describe similar actions. If you want to describe a more forceful grip, you might use saisir (to seize or grab) or agripper (to clutch). These words imply a stronger, often more sudden action than the precise movement of pinching.
Serrer
To squeeze or tighten. Used for handshakes or tightening bolts.
Chiqueter
A culinary term specifically for making small decorative cuts or pinches in pastry edges.
In the context of plucking strings, while pincer is standard, you might also encounter pincer les cordes specifically for the harpsichord (clavecin), where the mechanism literally pinches the string. For a guitar, gratter (to scratch/strum) is more common for rhythmic playing.

Au lieu de pincer, on peut aussi utiliser le verbe 'presser' pour fermer la pâte.

If the context is getting caught by the police, alternatives include attraper (to catch), arrêter (to arrest), or the slang chopper. However, pincer carries a specific connotation of being 'nabbed' in the act. For the sensation of cold, you might use mordre (to bite), as in 'un froid mordant.' Comparing these words helps you choose the right level of intensity. Pincer is delicate and precise; serrer is firm and encompassing; saisir is sudden and strong. Understanding these nuances allows you to describe physical sensations and technical actions with the same level of detail as a native French speaker.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word is related to the English word 'pinch', which was borrowed from Old French. The culinary use to seal dough is uniquely developed in French baking traditions.

発音ガイド

UK /pɛ̃.se/
US /pɛ̃.se/
The stress is on the final syllable '-ser'.
韻が合う語
danser penser avancer commencer lancer balancer renoncer énoncer
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing the 'n' as a hard consonant instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' in the 'nous' form (forgetting the cedilla).
  • Making the final 'er' sound like 'er' in 'her' instead of 'ay'.
  • Confusing the nasal 'in' with the nasal 'on'.
  • Over-aspirating the 'p' at the beginning.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'pinch'.

ライティング 3/5

Requires attention to the cedilla in certain conjugations.

スピーキング 3/5

Nasal 'in' can be tricky for beginners to pronounce correctly.

リスニング 2/5

Generally clear, but can be confused with 'penser' if not careful.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

Main Doigt Pâte Froid Prendre

次に学ぶ

Serrer Piquer Chiqueter Gratter Arrêter

上級

Lutherie Cédille Impassibilité Nostalgie Arpège

知っておくべき文法

Verbs ending in -cer

Nous pinçons (add cedilla before 'o').

Reflexive verbs for body parts

Elle se pince le bras (no agreement of participle if object follows).

Passive with 'se faire'

Il se fait pincer.

Nasal vowels (in/im)

Pincer, lapin, timbre.

Impersonal weather expressions

Ça pince (It's biting cold).

レベル別の例文

1

Il pince son ami pour rire.

He pinches his friend for a laugh.

Simple present tense of an -er verb.

2

Ne me pince pas, ça fait mal !

Don't pinch me, it hurts!

Imperative mood with a direct object pronoun.

3

Je pince le papier avec mes doigts.

I pinch the paper with my fingers.

Subject + verb + object structure.

4

Est-ce que tu pinces le bras ?

Are you pinching the arm?

Interrogative sentence using 'est-ce que'.

5

Elle pince la joue du bébé.

She pinches the baby's cheek.

Usage with a specific body part.

6

Nous pinçons la pâte ensemble.

We are pinching the dough together.

Note the cedilla (ç) in the 'nous' form.

7

Ils pincent les petits gâteaux.

They pinch the small cakes.

Third person plural present tense.

8

Le crabe pince mon orteil !

The crab is pinching my toe!

The subject is an animal performing the action.

1

Il faut pincer les bords de la tarte.

You must pinch the edges of the pie.

Use of 'il faut' followed by the infinitive.

2

Je me pince pour vérifier si je rêve.

I pinch myself to check if I'm dreaming.

Reflexive verb 'se pincer'.

3

Elle a pincé la pâte pour la fermer.

She pinched the dough to close it.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

4

Le froid commence à pincer mes oreilles.

The cold is starting to pinch my ears.

Metaphorical use of 'pincer' for cold.

5

Pourquoi pinces-tu tes lèvres ?

Why are you pursing your lips?

Inversion used for a question.

6

Nous avons pincé le sac pour le sceller.

We pinched the bag to seal it.

Passé composé with 'nous'.

7

Il a eu un petit pincement au cœur.

He had a little pang in his heart.

Noun form 'pincement' used in a common idiom.

8

Peux-tu pincer ce ruban ici ?

Can you pinch this ribbon here?

Use of 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

1

Il s'est fait pincer par le gardien.

He got caught by the guard.

Passive construction 'se faire' + infinitive.

2

Elle a un humour très pincer-sans-rire.

She has a very deadpan sense of humor.

Compound idiomatic adjective.

3

Attention, le vent pince aujourd'hui !

Watch out, the wind is biting today!

Impersonal use to describe the weather.

4

Le musicien pince les cordes de sa guitare.

The musician plucks the strings of his guitar.

Technical musical usage.

5

Elle s'est pincé le doigt dans la porte.

She pinched her finger in the door.

Reflexive use with a specific body part.

6

On a pincé le voleur en plein acte.

They caught the thief in the act.

Informal use meaning 'to catch'.

7

Il pinçait toujours ses mots avec ironie.

He always spoke his words with irony.

Imparfait tense used for habitual action.

8

N'oublie pas de pincer le nez en plongeant.

Don't forget to pinch your nose when diving.

Instruction in the imperative.

1

Le couturier pince le tissu pour ajuster la robe.

The tailor pinches the fabric to adjust the dress.

Professional context (fashion).

2

Elle a pincé les lèvres avec désapprobation.

She pursed her lips with disapproval.

Describing facial expressions.

3

Le claveciniste pince les cordes avec délicatesse.

The harpsichordist plucks the strings with delicacy.

Specific musical terminology.

4

Il a ressenti un pincement de nostalgie.

He felt a pang of nostalgia.

Abstract noun use.

5

Le froid était si intense qu'il pinçait le visage.

The cold was so intense that it bit the face.

Descriptive literary style.

6

Ils se sont fait pincer pour excès de vitesse.

They got nabbed for speeding.

Informal passive construction.

7

Le chef pince la pâte avec une pince à chiqueter.

The chef pinches the dough with a crimping tool.

Advanced culinary vocabulary.

8

Elle pinçait la corde sensible de son auditoire.

She was touching a sensitive nerve with her audience.

Metaphorical idiom 'pincer la corde sensible'.

1

L'auteur utilise un ton pince-sans-rire tout au long du roman.

The author uses a deadpan tone throughout the novel.

Literary analysis context.

2

La morsure du froid pinçait les membres des explorateurs.

The bite of the cold nipped at the explorers' limbs.

High-level descriptive imagery.

3

Il a fallu pincer le budget pour finir l'année.

The budget had to be squeezed to finish the year.

Metaphorical use in finance/management.

4

La précision du pincement détermine la sonorité de l'instrument.

The precision of the plucking determines the instrument's sound.

Technical/Scientific noun usage.

5

Elle s'est sentie pincée par la remarque de son collègue.

She felt stung/hurt by her colleague's remark.

Reflexive used for emotional reaction.

6

Le juge a pincé l'avocat sur une contradiction flagrante.

The judge caught the lawyer on a blatant contradiction.

Metaphorical use for 'catching' someone in a lie.

7

Le dispositif vient pincer le câble pour empêcher tout mouvement.

The device clamps the cable to prevent any movement.

Technical/Engineering context.

8

Une petite ride venait pincer le coin de son œil.

A small wrinkle crinkled the corner of her eye.

Poetic physical description.

1

Le style de l'écrivain est caractérisé par une ironie pincée.

The writer's style is characterized by a dry, tight irony.

Adjectival use of the past participle.

2

Le pincement des lèvres trahissait une fureur contenue.

The pursing of the lips betrayed a contained fury.

Subtle psychological observation.

3

En lutherie, le mode de pincement influe sur le timbre.

In violin making, the plucking mode influences the timbre.

Highly specialized vocabulary.

4

Il s'agit de pincer l'artère pour stopper l'hémorragie.

It involves clamping the artery to stop the bleeding.

Medical/Surgical context.

5

La marquise avait un air pincé qui glaçait ses interlocuteurs.

The marchioness had a prim/stiff air that froze those she spoke to.

Describing social demeanor.

6

Le vent coulis venait pincer les chevilles sous la porte.

The draft nipped at the ankles from under the door.

Evocative, archaic-leaning description.

7

On ne saurait pincer plus juste cette vérité sociologique.

One could not hit upon this sociological truth more accurately.

Abstract, high-level metaphorical use.

8

Le mécanisme de l'épinette vient pincer la corde de métal.

The spinet's mechanism plucks the metal string.

Historical musical instrument context.

よく使う組み合わせ

Pincer les lèvres
Pincer la pâte
Pincer les cordes
Se faire pincer
Un froid qui pince
Pincer le nez
Pincer un coupable
Pincement au cœur
Pince à linge
Pince à épiler

よく使うフレーズ

Pincer sans rire

— To have a deadpan sense of humor; to be serious while joking.

Il est très pince-sans-rire.

Avoir un pincement au cœur

— To feel a sudden pang of sadness or regret.

J'ai eu un pincement au cœur en voyant mon ancienne école.

Se pincer pour y croire

— To pinch oneself to believe something incredible is happening.

Je me pince pour y croire tellement c'est beau.

Pincer la corde sensible

— To touch a raw nerve or a sensitive topic.

Tu as pincé la corde sensible avec cette question.

Être pincé pour quelqu'un

— To have a crush on someone (slightly dated).

Il est vraiment pincé pour elle.

Se faire pincer les doigts

— To get one's fingers caught (literally or figuratively in trouble).

Il s'est fait pincer les doigts dans l'affaire.

Pincer le budget

— To tighten the budget; to be frugal.

On doit pincer le budget ce mois-ci.

Pincer le bec

— To shut someone up or to stay quiet.

Pince-toi le bec !

Un air pincé

— A prim, stiff, or disapproving facial expression.

Elle nous a regardés d'un air pincé.

Pincer les fesses

— To be very nervous or to brace oneself (informal).

On pinçait les fesses pendant le décollage.

よく混同される語

pincer vs Penser

Sounds similar but means 'to think'. Pay attention to the nasal vowel.

pincer vs Piquer

Means 'to sting'. Bees 'piquent', they don't 'pincer'.

pincer vs Serrer

Means 'to squeeze'. Use 'serrer' for hands, 'pincer' for small bits of skin/dough.

慣用句と表現

"Pince-sans-rire"

— A person who jokes with a straight face.

Son style pince-sans-rire est hilarant.

Neutral
"Se faire pincer"

— To get caught doing something illicit.

Il s'est fait pincer par les flics.

Informal
"Pincer la corde sensible"

— To evoke a strong emotional response.

Elle a su pincer la corde sensible du public.

Literary
"Avoir un pincement au cœur"

— To feel a sharp, brief emotional pain.

Un pincement au cœur m'a envahi.

Neutral
"Être pincé"

— To be caught or arrested.

Le voleur a été pincé.

Informal
"Pincer les lèvres"

— To show annoyance or restraint.

Elle a pincé les lèvres sans rien dire.

Neutral
"Un froid qui pince"

— Very biting, sharp cold weather.

Couvre-toi bien, ça pince dehors !

Neutral
"Se pincer le nez"

— To refuse to acknowledge something unpleasant.

Il se pince le nez devant la corruption.

Metaphorical
"Pincer quelqu'un au saut du lit"

— To catch someone just as they wake up.

La police l'a pincé au saut du lit.

Informal
"Pincer la taille"

— To tighten a garment at the waist.

Cette ceinture pince bien la taille.

Neutral

間違えやすい

pincer vs Piquer

Both involve a sharp sensation on the skin.

Piquer involves a point (needle, sting); pincer involves two surfaces (fingers).

L'infirmière me pique avec une aiguille.

pincer vs Serrer

Both involve pressure.

Serrer is a general grip; pincer is a specific, small-scale grip.

Je serre la vis.

pincer vs Presser

Both involve pushing.

Presser is usually to extract liquid or push a button; pincer is to grip.

Pressez le bouton.

pincer vs Gratter

Related to musical strings.

Gratter is strumming; pincer is plucking individual strings.

Il gratte sa guitare.

pincer vs Attraper

Both mean to catch.

Attraper is general; pincer is catching someone doing something wrong (nabbed).

Attrape le ballon !

文型パターン

A1

Je pince [objet].

Je pince mon bras.

A2

Il faut pincer [objet].

Il faut pincer la pâte.

B1

Se faire pincer par [quelqu'un].

Il se fait pincer par le prof.

B1

C'est un humour [adjectif].

C'est un humour pince-sans-rire.

B2

Ressentir un pincement de [émotion].

Ressentir un pincement de regret.

C1

[Sujet] vient pincer [objet].

Le froid vient pincer nos joues.

C2

Pincer la corde [adjectif].

Pincer la corde sensible.

B1

Ça pince [temporel].

Ça pince ce soir.

語族

名詞

Une pince Pliers, a clip, or a pinch.
Un pincement A pinching sensation or a pang of emotion.
Une pincée A pinch (of salt, etc.).
Un pince-sans-rire A deadpan person.

動詞

Repincer To pinch again.
Dépincer To unpinch or release a clip.

形容詞

Pincé Pinched, stiff, or prim.
Pincée Pinched (feminine form).

関連

La pincette
Le pincement au cœur
La pince à linge
La pince à épiler
Le chiquetage

使い方

frequency

Common in daily life, especially in cooking and describing weather.

よくある間違い
  • Nous pincons Nous pinçons

    Missing the cedilla changes the pronunciation to a hard 'k' sound.

  • L'abeille m'a pincé. L'abeille m'a piqué.

    Bees sting (piquer), they do not pinch (pincer).

  • Je pince à lui. Je pense à lui.

    Confusing pincer (pinch) with penser (think).

  • Pincer le bouton. Appuyer sur le bouton.

    You press a button, you don't pinch it.

  • Il est pincé sans rire. Il est pince-sans-rire.

    The idiom is a compound noun/adjective, not a passive verb phrase.

ヒント

The Cedilla Rule

Remember: c becomes ç before a, o, u. So, nous pinçons, je pinçais, tu pinçais.

Kitchen Mastery

Use 'pincer' when making a pie crust to sound like a native French baker.

Getting Caught

Use 'se faire pincer' when talking about someone getting caught in a lie or by the police.

String Techniques

Distinguish between 'pincer' (pluck) and 'gratter' (strum) when talking about guitar.

Cold Descriptions

'Ça pince' is a very common and natural way to comment on cold weather.

Emotional Pang

Use 'un pincement au cœur' for that specific feeling of nostalgic sadness.

Pursed Lips

'Pincer les lèvres' is a great way to describe disapproval in your writing.

Nasal Accuracy

Practice the 'in' sound by smiling slightly and keeping the tongue down.

Deadpan Humor

Call a friend 'pince-sans-rire' if they tell jokes with a straight face.

Tool Names

Remember 'une pince' means pliers, which helps you remember the action of the verb.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'PIN' entering a 'CER' (circle). To PIN the edge of a CIRcle of dough, you must PIN-CER it.

視覚的連想

Imagine a pair of silver pliers (une pince) pinching a tiny piece of dough on a beautiful French tart.

Word Web

Pâte Doigts Froid Guitare Police Lèvres Cœur Sel

チャレンジ

Try to use 'pincer' in three different ways today: once for cooking, once for the weather, and once for a physical action.

語源

Derived from the Vulgar Latin *pinctiare*, which likely comes from a root meaning to prick or sting. It appeared in Old French as 'pincier'.

元の意味: To grip or prick with a sharp object or fingers.

Romance (Latin-based).

文化的な背景

No specific sensitivities; 'pincer' is a safe, common verb.

English uses 'pinch' similarly, but 'pincer' in French is much more common in baking and musical terminology than 'pinch' is in English.

The technique of 'pincer' in French pastry is taught in the Le Cordon Bleu curriculum. The 'pince-sans-rire' character is a staple in French cinema (e.g., characters played by Jean Rochefort). Harpsichord music by François Couperin requires expert 'pincement'.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Cooking

  • Pincer les bords
  • Une pincée de sel
  • Pincer la pâte
  • Pincer le fond de tarte

Music

  • Pincer les cordes
  • Instruments à cordes pincées
  • Technique de pincement
  • Pincement sec

Weather

  • Le froid pince
  • Un vent qui pince
  • Ça pince !
  • Pincé par le gel

Relationships

  • Pincé pour quelqu'un
  • Un pincement au cœur
  • Pincer la corde sensible
  • Air pincé

Law

  • Se faire pincer
  • Pincer un voleur
  • Pincer en flagrant délit
  • Être pincé

会話のきっかけ

"As-tu déjà eu un pincement au cœur en quittant un endroit ?"

"Est-ce que tu sais comment pincer la pâte pour une tarte ?"

"Connais-tu quelqu'un qui est vraiment pince-sans-rire ?"

"T'es-tu déjà fait pincer en train de faire une bêtise ?"

"Est-ce qu'il pince fort dehors aujourd'hui ?"

日記のテーマ

Décris un moment où tu as ressenti un pincement au cœur. Pourquoi ?

Écris une recette imaginaire où il faut pincer des ingrédients étranges.

Raconte une histoire où un personnage se fait pincer par la police.

Quel instrument à cordes pincées préfères-tu et pourquoi ?

Décris le visage d'une personne qui a un 'air pincé'.

よくある質問

10 問

Not necessarily. In cooking or music, it is a functional technique. However, on skin, it usually causes minor pain.

Pincer is more general (using fingers), while chiqueter is a specific pastry term involving small cuts or precise pinches with a tool.

Yes, you use a 'pince à épiler' (tweezers) to 'épiler' (pluck), which involves a 'pincement' action.

It is 'nous pinçons'. The cedilla is essential to keep the 's' sound.

Yes, it can describe someone who is stiff, prim, or formal in an unnatural way (un air pincé).

It refers to deadpan humor—making jokes while remaining perfectly serious.

Yes, 'le crabe pince' is the correct way to describe a crab using its claws.

It is informal. In a formal report, you would use 'être appréhendé' or 'être arrêté'.

It is a noun meaning 'a pinch', usually used as a measurement in cooking (une pincée de sel).

Yes, when playing 'pizzicato', the violinist 'pince les cordes'.

自分をテスト 180 問

writing

Write a sentence using 'pincer' in the context of baking.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'I have to pinch myself to believe it.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Use 'se faire pincer' in a short sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Describe the weather using 'pincer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence about a musician using 'pincer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

How do you say 'a pinch of salt'?

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正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence with 'pincer les lèvres'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The crab pinched my toe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Use 'pincement au cœur' in a sentence about leaving home.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Conjugate 'pincer' in the 'nous' present tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Describe a 'pince-sans-rire' person.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write an imperative sentence telling someone not to pinch.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The tailor pinches the dress.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

What is 'clothespin' in French?

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正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Use 'pincer' in the imparfait with 'je'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'They caught the thief.' (using pincer)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence with 'pince à épiler'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Explain 'pincer la corde sensible' in French.

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正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The air is biting.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Use 'pincé' as an adjective for a person.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Prononcez: 'Nous pinçons la pâte.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Dites: 'Ça pince dehors !'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Expliquez ce qu'est un 'pince-sans-rire'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Prononcez: 'Une pincée de sel.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Dites: 'Il s'est fait pincer par les flics.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Dites: 'Je me pince pour y croire.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Expliquez pourquoi on pince les bords d'une tarte.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Prononcez: 'Un pincement au cœur.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Dites: 'Le crabe m'a pincé.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Prononcez: 'Pince à épiler.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Dites: 'Elle pince les lèvres.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Dites: 'Pincer les cordes.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Expliquez 'pincer la corde sensible'.

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Prononcez: 'Un air pincé.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Dites: 'Ne me pince pas !'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Dites: 'Le vent pince ce soir.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Prononcez: 'Pince à linge.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Dites: 'Il a été pincé en plein vol.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Dites: 'Je pinçais la pâte.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Prononcez: 'Nous pinçons.'

Read this aloud:

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listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Il s'est fait pincer.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Une pincée de sel.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Nous pinçons les bords.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Ça pince dehors !'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Ne me pince pas.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Un pincement au cœur.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Pince à épiler.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Il est pince-sans-rire.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Le crabe pince.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Pincer les cordes.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Elle pince les lèvres.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Un air pincé.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Je me pince.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Pincer la pâte.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez: 'Le froid pince.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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