In 15 Seconds
- Means 'sometimes thin' or 'sometimes slim' in English.
- Used for physical objects, people's builds, or abstract margins.
- Neutral and polite; 'mince' is usually a compliment in France.
Meaning
This phrase describes something or someone that is occasionally thin, slim, or slender. It is a simple combination used to talk about physical appearance, objects, or even abstract concepts like hope.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a pizza crust
La pâte à pizza est parfois mince ici.
The pizza dough is sometimes thin here.
Talking about a friend's fitness
Mon ami est parfois mince en été.
My friend is sometimes slim in summer.
Discussing a work project
La marge de profit est parfois mince.
The profit margin is sometimes thin.
Cultural Background
The 'dictature de la minceur' (dictatorship of thinness) is a common topic in French media, reflecting high societal standards for physical appearance. In Quebec, 'mince' is used similarly, but you might also hear 'fin' more often for objects due to English influence (fine/thin). In many West African Francophone cultures, being 'mince' was traditionally less valued than being 'en forme' (stout/healthy), though global trends are changing this. Belgian French uses 'mince' identically to France, but in the context of food (like fries), 'fine' is the preferred term for thickness.
The 'E' Rule
Remember that 'mince' already ends in an 'e', so you don't need to add another one for feminine nouns!
Maigre vs Mince
Be careful! Calling someone 'maigre' can be seen as an insult. Stick to 'mince'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'sometimes thin' or 'sometimes slim' in English.
- Used for physical objects, people's builds, or abstract margins.
- Neutral and polite; 'mince' is usually a compliment in France.
What It Means
Imagine you are looking at a French baguette. Sometimes it is wide and fluffy. Other times, it is narrow and crisp. To describe that second state, you use parfois mince. The word parfois means 'sometimes'. The word mince means 'thin' or 'slim'. Together, they create a flexible description. It is not a fixed idiom. It is a literal building block of the language. You use it to talk about variety. It suggests that 'thinness' is a temporary or occasional state. It is a very useful phrase for beginners. It helps you describe the world around you simply.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase in many ways. Usually, you place it after a noun or a verb. For example, you might say Le papier est parfois mince. This means 'The paper is sometimes thin'. You can also use it to describe people. In French, mince is generally a compliment. It implies someone is fit or slender. If you are talking about a person's habits, you might say Il est parfois mince. This suggests their weight fluctuates. Just remember that mince does not change for gender. It always ends in an 'e'. This makes it very easy to remember!
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you are shopping for clothes. It is perfect for describing fabric quality. Use it at a restaurant to talk about pizza crust. You can even use it in a professional setting. For instance, you might talk about a marge (margin) being parfois mince. It is also great for texting friends. If you are sharing a photo of a new phone, you can call it parfois mince. It is a neutral, descriptive term. It fits into almost any conversation about size or thickness. It is especially common when discussing fashion or diet.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use mince if you want to be rude. If someone is unhealthily thin, the word maigre is used. However, maigre can be mean, so be careful. Also, do not confuse the adjective mince with the exclamation Mince !. If a French person drops their keys, they might shout Mince !. In that context, it means 'Darn!' or 'Shoot!'. It has nothing to do with size. Finally, do not use it for 'narrow' streets. For streets or hallways, use the word étroit. Using mince for a road would sound very funny to a local.
Cultural Background
In France, being mince is often seen as a cultural ideal. You will see this word everywhere in fashion magazines. The French take pride in 'la ligne' (the figure). Because of this, mince carries a positive connotation. It is associated with elegance and health. Historically, French cuisine is rich, yet the 'French Paradox' suggests people stay slim. This makes the word mince a frequent topic of conversation. It is a word that reflects the French obsession with style and aesthetics. Even their bread, the ficelle, is a 'thin' version of the baguette!
Common Variations
You can change the frequency easily. Try souvent mince for 'often thin'. Or use toujours mince for 'always thin'. If something is only slightly thin, say un peu mince. To emphasize it, use très mince. You can also swap the adjective. Parfois épais means 'sometimes thick'. Learning these pairs helps you build your vocabulary fast. You can also use mince as a noun in fashion, but that is more advanced. Stick to the adjective form for now. It is your safest bet for daily talk.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all levels of formality. Be mindful that 'mince' is also a common exclamation meaning 'Darn!', so context is key.
The 'E' Rule
Remember that 'mince' already ends in an 'e', so you don't need to add another one for feminine nouns!
Maigre vs Mince
Be careful! Calling someone 'maigre' can be seen as an insult. Stick to 'mince'.
Abstract Use
Use 'mince' to describe a 'slim chance' to sound more like a native speaker in B1+ conversations.
Examples
6La pâte à pizza est parfois mince ici.
The pizza dough is sometimes thin here.
Used to describe the physical thickness of food.
Mon ami est parfois mince en été.
My friend is sometimes slim in summer.
Refers to a person's physical appearance.
La marge de profit est parfois mince.
The profit margin is sometimes thin.
A professional use for abstract concepts.
Cette coque est parfois mince, mais elle est solide.
This case is sometimes thin, but it is solid.
Describing a consumer product via text.
Hélas, mon portefeuille est parfois mince avant le salaire !
Alas, my wallet is sometimes thin before payday!
A funny way to say you are low on money.
L'espoir est parfois mince, mais il existe.
Hope is sometimes thin, but it exists.
Using the phrase for emotional or abstract depth.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'mince'.
Les feuilles de papier sont parfois ______.
The noun 'feuilles' is plural, so 'mince' must take an 's'.
Which sentence is more polite when describing a friend?
Comment décrire un ami qui a une belle silhouette ?
'Mince' is a positive/neutral term for slim, while 'maigre' can be offensive.
Match the sentence to the context.
L'espoir est parfois mince.
This is a figurative use of 'mince' meaning 'slim chance'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu trouves cette robe comment ? B: Elle est jolie, mais le tissu est ______ ______.
The adverb 'parfois' usually precedes the adjective in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mince vs Maigre
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLes feuilles de papier sont parfois ______.
The noun 'feuilles' is plural, so 'mince' must take an 's'.
Comment décrire un ami qui a une belle silhouette ?
'Mince' is a positive/neutral term for slim, while 'maigre' can be offensive.
L'espoir est parfois mince.
This is a figurative use of 'mince' meaning 'slim chance'.
A: Tu trouves cette robe comment ? B: Elle est jolie, mais le tissu est ______ ______.
The adverb 'parfois' usually precedes the adjective in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! 'Mince' is the same for both masculine and feminine singular.
Yes, they are synonyms, but 'parfois' is slightly more common in modern French.
Just add an 's' to 'mince' to get 'minces'. 'Parfois' never changes.
No, but 'Mince !' (on its own) is a polite way to say 'Darn!'.
Only for objects or delicate things, not usually for people's weight.
You could say 'souvent épais' (often thick) or 'toujours gros' (always fat).
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
It specifically means 'thin' or 'slim', not 'short' or 'small' in height.
Yes, to describe a book that doesn't have many pages.
Most final consonants in French are silent, and 's' is one of them.
Related Phrases
un peu mince
similara bit thin
trop mince
similartoo thin
mince alors
idiomgoodness me / darn
taille de guêpe
idiomwasp waist
maigre comme un clou
idiomthin as a nail
