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A1 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

piquer

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips piquer in 30 Seconds

Explanation piquer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'piquer' in its most literal sense. Think about bees, mosquitoes, and needles. If you go to the doctor for a vaccine, the doctor will 'piquer' you. If you are in the garden, a rose bush might 'piquer' your finger with its thorns. It is a simple action of something sharp touching your skin. You will also hear 'Ça pique !' when someone eats something spicy or when it is very cold outside. Focus on these physical sensations first. Remember the basic conjugation: je pique, tu piques, il pique, nous piquons, vous piquez, ils piquent. It is a regular verb, so it follows the pattern of 'parler' or 'habiter'. Use it to describe simple experiences in nature or at the doctor's office.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'piquer' in more common daily activities. In the kitchen, you 'piquer' a pie crust with a fork before putting it in the oven. You might also encounter the informal meaning of 'piquer' as 'to steal' or 'to take'. For example, 'On m'a piqué mon stylo !' (Someone took my pen!). While this is informal, it is very common in spoken French. You should also learn the expression 'piquer une tête', which means to jump or dive into the water for a quick swim. This level is about expanding from the purely physical 'sting' to these common, everyday idiomatic uses that you will hear in French households and schools.

At the B1 level, you should become comfortable with the reflexive form 'se piquer' and more complex idiomatic expressions. 'Se piquer' is used when you accidentally prick yourself, but also in the expression 'se piquer de...', which means to pride oneself on something. For instance, 'Il se pique de cuisine italienne' means he thinks he is an expert in Italian cooking. You will also learn 'piquer une colère' (to fly into a rage) and 'piquer un fard' (to blush). At this stage, you should understand that 'piquer' often implies a sudden, sharp action, whether it is an emotion (anger), a physical reaction (blushing), or a movement (diving). You can use it to add more color and 'French-ness' to your descriptions of people's behavior.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of 'piquer' in professional and technical contexts. In sewing, it refers to machine-stitching. In aviation, it describes a plane diving ('piquer du nez'). You should also be able to use it metaphorically to describe intellectual curiosity: 'piquer la curiosité de quelqu'un'. At this level, you are expected to distinguish between registers—knowing when 'piquer' (to steal) is appropriate and when you should use 'voler' or 'dérober'. You should also understand its use in describing flavors in a more sophisticated way, such as the 'sharpness' of a wine or the 'bite' of a specific spice in a complex dish. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's versatility in various domains.

At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate and use 'piquer' in literary and highly idiomatic contexts. You might encounter it in classical literature where someone 'se pique' of a certain virtue or philosophy. You should understand the subtle difference between 'piquer' and its many synonyms like 'poindre', 'percer', or 'mordre' in poetic descriptions. For example, 'le froid qui pique' vs 'le froid qui mord'. You should also be familiar with rare expressions like 'piquer au vif' (to cut to the quick/to offend deeply). At this stage, your use of 'piquer' should be precise, capturing the exact degree of sharpness or suddenness intended, whether in a formal essay or a high-level debate.

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of 'piquer' across all historical and regional variations. You understand its etymological roots and how it has evolved from a simple physical action to a broad metaphorical tool. You can use it with total spontaneity in its most obscure forms, such as 'piquer des deux' (to spur a horse) or in technical discussions about tapestry and textile manufacturing. You are sensitive to the rhythmic and stylistic impact of using 'piquer' in a sentence, choosing it over synonyms to create a specific tone. You can navigate the transition between extreme slang and high-register literary prose where 'piquer' might appear, demonstrating a native-like intuition for its placement and effect.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

piquer in 30 Seconds

Piquer primarily means to prick or sting with a sharp object like a needle or an insect's stinger, common in medical and nature contexts.
Informally, it is a very common synonym for 'voler' (to steal), used when someone takes something quickly or without permission.
It describes sensory experiences such as spicy food ('ça pique'), cold weather, or the stinging sensation of smoke in the eyes.
The word is rich in idioms, such as 'piquer une tête' (to dive) and 'piquer une colère' (to fly into a rage).

The French verb piquer is a multifaceted word that every learner should master early because of its incredible versatility in both literal and figurative contexts. At its most fundamental level, it describes the action of a sharp point penetrating a surface. This could be an insect's stinger entering skin, a nurse administering a vaccine with a needle, or a tailor using a pin. However, as you progress in French, you will discover that it stretches far beyond the physical sensation of a prick.

Literal Physical Action: The primary meaning involves a sharp object. For example, if you are walking in a field and a bee attacks, you would say the bee 'piques' you. Similarly, in a medical context, a doctor 'piques' a patient to draw blood. It is the sudden, sharp contact that defines this usage.

Attention, ce rosier risque de vous piquer avec ses épines.

Culinary and Sensory Usage: In the kitchen, 'piquer' is used when you prick a tart crust with a fork to prevent it from rising too much. It also describes the sensation of spicy food or carbonated drinks on the tongue. If a mustard is very strong, a French person might say 'Ça pique !' to describe that sharp, tingling sensation in the nose and throat.

Cette moutarde de Dijon me fait piquer le nez.

Informal and Slang Meanings: One of the most common informal uses is as a synonym for 'voler' (to steal). If someone takes your pen without asking, they have 'piqué' your pen. It is also used in the expression 'piquer une crise' (to throw a fit) or 'piquer une tête' (to take a quick dive/swim). These figurative uses are essential for sounding natural in everyday conversation.

Furthermore, 'piquer' appears in aviation (to dive steeply) and sewing (to machine-stitch). Its breadth is truly remarkable. Whether you are talking about a mosquito, a spicy pepper, a stolen bicycle, or a sudden burst of anger, 'piquer' provides the precise linguistic tool needed to convey that sharp, sudden action or sensation. Understanding its nuances allows you to transition from basic descriptions to expressive, idiomatic French.

L'avion a commencé à piquer du nez vers l'océan.

Il s'est fait piquer son portefeuille dans le métro.

Using piquer correctly requires paying attention to the direct object and the context of the action. It is a regular -er verb, making its conjugation straightforward, but its syntactic behavior changes based on meaning. When used literally, it often takes a direct object (the person or thing being pricked). For example, 'Le moustique pique l'enfant'. Here, the mosquito is the subject and the child is the object.

Transitive Usage (Direct Object): In most cases, you piquer 'something' or 'someone'. This applies to stinging, pricking, and stealing. If you are sewing, you 'pique' the fabric. If you are stealing, you 'pique' the money. The structure is: Subject + Piquer + Object.

Elle a piqué la curiosité de son auditoire avec une anecdote.

Intransitive and Impersonal Usage: Sometimes 'piquer' is used without an object to describe a general sensation. 'Ça pique !' is a very common exclamation when something is physically sharp or chemically irritating (like smoke in the eyes or chili on the tongue). It can also describe cold weather: 'Ça pique ce matin !' implies a biting, sharp cold.

Ferme les yeux, la fumée du feu de camp commence à piquer.

Reflexive Usage: Se Piquer: The reflexive form 'se piquer' is used when you accidentally prick yourself: 'Je me suis piqué avec une aiguille'. It also has a more sophisticated figurative meaning: 'se piquer de quelque chose' means to pride oneself on something or to claim expertise in a field, often with a hint of pretension.

In idiomatic expressions, the verb often loses its literal 'sharpness' but retains the idea of a sudden impulse. 'Piquer un fard' means to blush suddenly, as if 'pricked' by embarrassment. 'Piquer une tête' suggests a sudden, sharp entry into the water. Mastery of these patterns involves recognizing the 'sharpness' or 'suddenness' inherent in the root meaning and applying it to various abstract scenarios.

Dès qu'il a entendu son nom, il a piqué un fard mémorable.

Elle se pique de connaître parfaitement le vin français.

You will encounter piquer in a surprising variety of real-life situations. In a medical setting, it's the standard word for getting a shot or a blood test. A nurse might say 'Je vais vous piquer un petit peu' (I'm going to prick you a little bit). It sounds less clinical than 'procéder à une injection' and is more common in patient-doctor interactions.

In Nature and Gardens: Summertime in France is filled with warnings about 'les moustiques qui piquent'. You'll hear parents telling children not to touch certain plants like nettles (les orties) because 'ça pique'. It is the go-to word for any natural defense mechanism involving thorns or stingers.

Maman, l'abeille m'a piqué sur le bras !

Street Slang and Youth Culture: If you spend time with younger French speakers or watch modern French films, you will hear 'piquer' used constantly to mean 'to steal'. It's not as harsh as 'cambrioler' (to burglarize); it's often used for petty theft or taking something without permission. 'On m'a piqué ma place !' (Someone stole my seat!) is a classic complaint.

Quelqu'un a piqué mon briquet sur la table.

In the Kitchen and Dining Room: When tasting something very spicy or acidic, 'ça pique' is the universal reaction. It's also used when 'pricking' food to check if it's cooked or to let steam escape. If you're having a picnic, you might 'piquer' a piece of cheese with your knife.

Finally, 'piquer' is common in emotional descriptions. 'Piquer une colère' is a standard way to describe a sudden outburst of rage. In journalism, a headline might say an article 'pique la curiosité' of the public. This range from the physical to the emotional makes it a staple of the French language across all social classes and regions.

Le patron a piqué une colère noire en voyant les résultats.

Ce vin est un peu trop acide, il pique la gorge.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with piquer is confusing it with 'mordre' (to bite). While in English we might say a mosquito 'bites' you, in French, an insect with a stinger or a proboscis 'pique' you. Only animals with teeth, like dogs or sharks, 'mordent'. Using 'mordre' for a mosquito will sound very strange to a native speaker.

Register Confusion: Another pitfall is using 'piquer' to mean 'to steal' in formal writing. While it is incredibly common in spoken French, it remains informal. If you are writing an essay or a police report, you should use 'voler' or 'dérober'. Using 'piquer' in a formal context can make you sound uneducated or overly casual.

Incorrect: Le chien m'a piqué. (Unless the dog had a needle! Correct: Le chien m'a mordu.)

Preposition Errors with 'Se Piquer': When using the figurative 'se piquer' (to pride oneself), learners often forget the preposition 'de'. You don't just 'se piquer quelque chose'; you 'se pique DE quelque chose'. For example, 'Il se pique de littérature' (He prides himself on his literary knowledge). Without the 'de', the meaning reverts to physically pricking oneself.

Correct: Elle se pique de parler couramment cinq langues.

Overusing 'Piquer' for 'Spicy': While 'ça pique' is a great way to say something is spicy, remember that the adjective 'épicé' or 'pimenté' is often more precise for describing food. 'Piquer' describes the *sensation*, whereas 'épicé' describes the *content*. Don't say 'Cette soupe est piquée'; say 'Cette soupe pique' or 'Cette soupe est épicée'.

Lastly, be careful with the expression 'piquer un somme'. It means to take a nap. Some learners try to use 'prendre' or 'faire' for a nap (which is also possible: faire une sieste), but 'piquer un somme' is a specific idiomatic structure. Mixing these up won't make you misunderstood, but it will lose the idiomatic flavor that 'piquer' provides.

Après le déjeuner, j'aime bien piquer un petit somme de vingt minutes.

Attention à ne pas piquer les idées des autres sans les citer.

Because piquer covers so much ground, there are many synonyms that can be more precise depending on the situation. If you want to sound more formal or more specific, knowing these alternatives is crucial. For the literal action of pricking, 'percer' (to pierce) or 'transpercer' (to pierce through) are stronger and more mechanical.

Piquer vs. Voler: While both mean to steal, 'voler' is the neutral, standard term. 'Piquer' is informal and often implies a quick, opportunistic theft. 'Dérober' is more literary and elegant, used in storytelling or formal contexts. 'Chiper' is another informal synonym, often used for children stealing sweets or small items.

L'enfant a chipé un biscuit dans la boîte en cachette.

Piquer vs. Injecter: In medicine, 'piquer' describes the act of the needle entering the skin. 'Injecter' describes the act of pushing the fluid into the body. A nurse 'pique' the patient to 'injecter' the vaccine. 'Faire une piqûre' is the most common way to say 'give a shot'.

Le médecin doit injecter le produit lentement après avoir piqué.

Piquer vs. Mordre: As mentioned before, this is the most important distinction for English speakers. 'Piquer' is for stingers/needles/points. 'Mordre' is for teeth. A snake can 'mordre' (if it has teeth) but we often say 'une morsure de serpent' even though the fangs 'piquent' the skin. However, for insects, 'piquer' is almost always the correct choice.

In the context of sewing, 'piquer' is specifically for machine-sewing, while 'coudre' is the general term for sewing by hand or machine. If you are 'stitching' a specific line, 'piquer' is the technical term. In aviation, 'plonger' (to dive) can be used instead of 'piquer du nez', though 'piquer' is the standard aeronautical term for a steep descent. Knowing these nuances helps you choose the word that fits the exact 'flavor' of your sentence.

La couturière va piquer l'ourlet de ce pantalon à la machine.

Il ne faut pas confondre piquer et mordre quand on parle d'animaux.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is related to 'pique' (the weapon) and the card suit 'pique' (spades), which looks like a spearhead. It also gave us the English word 'pique' (as in 'to pique interest').

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pike/

US /pike/

The stress is on the final syllable 'quer'.

Rhymes With

aimer manger parler jouer aller clocher marcher toucher

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' at the end (it should be silent).
Pronouncing the 'u' (it is silent after 'q').
Using an English 'eye' sound for 'i' (it must be 'ee').
Making the 'é' sound like a diphthong (it should be a pure, short vowel).
Aspirating the 'p' too heavily.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, but literal vs. figurative meanings require context.

Writing 3/5

Conjugation is easy, but using the correct idiom requires practice.

Speaking 3/5

Essential for sounding natural; must master 'Ça pique' and 'Piquer un truc'.

Listening 2/5

Common in all registers, usually clear from context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

voler mordre aiguille abeille froid

Learn Next

piqûre piquant morsure dérober s'enorgueillir

Advanced

poindre darder transpercer pédanterie

Grammar to Know

Regular -er verb conjugation

Je pique, nous piquons.

Reflexive verbs in Passé Composé use 'être'

Je me suis piqué.

Direct object placement with 'piquer' (to steal)

Je le lui ai piqué.

Impersonal 'ça' for sensations

Ça pique !

Preposition 'de' after 'se piquer'

Il se pique de sagesse.

Examples by Level

Le moustique m'a piqué pendant la nuit.

The mosquito stung me during the night.

Piquer is a regular -er verb.

Attention, cette plante pique !

Watch out, this plant stings!

Intransitive use to describe a quality.

L'infirmière va te piquer pour le vaccin.

The nurse is going to prick you for the vaccine.

Used for medical injections.

Aïe ! Je me suis piqué avec une épingle.

Ouch! I pricked myself with a pin.

Reflexive form: se piquer.

Est-ce que la moutarde pique ?

Is the mustard spicy/hot?

Used for the sensation of spiciness.

L'abeille pique pour se défendre.

The bee stings to defend itself.

General fact using the present tense.

Le froid pique le visage ce matin.

The cold is biting the face this morning.

Metaphorical use for weather.

Il ne faut pas piquer les fleurs.

You must not prick the flowers (or steal, depending on context).

Negative imperative.

Il faut piquer la pâte avec une fourchette.

You must prick the dough with a fork.

Culinary instruction.

Quelqu'un a piqué mon vélo dans la rue !

Someone stole my bike in the street!

Informal meaning: to steal.

On va piquer une tête dans la piscine ?

Shall we take a dip in the pool?

Idiom: piquer une tête.

Elle a piqué les bonbons de son frère.

She swiped her brother's candies.

Informal usage.

Je déteste quand la laine me pique.

I hate it when wool itches/pricks me.

Describing a texture.

Le soleil pique fort aujourd'hui.

The sun is stinging/burning hot today.

Describing intensity.

Il a piqué un sprint pour attraper le bus.

He burst into a sprint to catch the bus.

Idiom: piquer un sprint.

Ne me pique pas mon idée !

Don't steal my idea!

Informal imperative.

Elle a piqué un fard quand il l'a complimentée.

She blushed deeply when he complimented her.

Idiom: piquer un fard.

Mon grand-père aime piquer un somme après le déjeuner.

My grandfather likes to take a nap after lunch.

Idiom: piquer un somme.

Il a piqué une colère noire sans raison apparente.

He flew into a terrible rage for no apparent reason.

Idiom: piquer une colère.

Ce film a vraiment piqué ma curiosité.

This movie really piqued my curiosity.

Figurative use for interest.

Il se pique de connaître tous les secrets de la ville.

He prides himself on knowing all the city's secrets.

Reflexive: se piquer de.

L'oiseau a piqué sur sa proie avec rapidité.

The bird dove onto its prey with speed.

Describing a movement.

J'ai piqué cette recette dans un vieux magazine.

I swiped/borrowed this recipe from an old magazine.

Informal usage.

On s'est piqué de curiosité pour ce mystère.

We became curious about this mystery.

Reflexive figurative use.

L'avion a dû piquer du nez pour éviter la collision.

The plane had to dive to avoid the collision.

Aviation term: piquer du nez.

Elle pique ses robes elle-même avec sa machine.

She stitches her dresses herself with her machine.

Technical sewing term.

Cette remarque l'a piqué au vif.

That remark cut him to the quick.

Idiom: piquer au vif.

Le vent pique la peau de façon désagréable.

The wind is stinging the skin unpleasantly.

Describing sensory discomfort.

Il a piqué une crise d'hystérie devant tout le monde.

He had a hysterical fit in front of everyone.

Idiom: piquer une crise.

L'entreprise a piqué les meilleurs éléments de la concurrence.

The company poached the best elements from the competition.

Business context (poaching).

Il se pique de philosophie, mais il n'a lu que trois livres.

He prides himself on philosophy, but he's only read three books.

Reflexive with 'de' indicating pretension.

La fumée me pique les yeux, je dois sortir.

The smoke is stinging my eyes, I have to go out.

Describing chemical irritation.

Son orgueil a été piqué par cet échec cuisant.

His pride was wounded by this stinging failure.

Passive voice with figurative meaning.

Le récit est piqué de touches d'humour bienvenues.

The story is peppered with welcome touches of humor.

Metaphorical use meaning 'sprinkled' or 'peppered'.

Elle a piqué des deux pour distancer ses poursuivants.

She spurred her horse to outrun her pursuers.

Archaic/Literary idiom: piquer des deux.

Ce discours a piqué l'intérêt de l'assemblée.

This speech piqued the interest of the assembly.

Formal figurative use.

Il s'est piqué au jeu et a fini par gagner.

He got caught up in the game and ended up winning.

Idiom: se piquer au jeu.

Le tissu est piqué de petits points blancs.

The fabric is dotted with small white spots.

Describing a pattern.

La jalousie l'a piquée au cœur.

Jealousy stung her to the heart.

Literary metaphorical use.

On ne peut pas se piquer d'être honnête quand on ment ainsi.

One cannot claim to be honest when lying like that.

Reflexive 'se piquer de' in a moral context.

L'auteur se pique d'une érudition qui confine à la pédanterie.

The author prides himself on an erudition that borders on pedantry.

High-register literary usage.

La voûte céleste était piquée d'une infinité d'étoiles.

The celestial vault was dotted with an infinity of stars.

Poetic/Literary description.

Il a piqué une pointe de vitesse pour conclure son marathon.

He put on a burst of speed to conclude his marathon.

Specific athletic idiom.

Son silence m'a piqué plus que n'importe quelle insulte.

His silence stung me more than any insult.

Psychological metaphorical use.

Le marbre est piqué de veines rougeâtres.

The marble is streaked/dotted with reddish veins.

Describing natural textures.

Elle s'est piquée d'honneur pour réussir ce défi impossible.

She made it a point of honor to succeed in this impossible challenge.

Reflexive idiom: se piquer d'honneur.

L'avion de chasse a piqué sur l'objectif avec une précision chirurgicale.

The fighter jet dove on the target with surgical precision.

Military/Technical usage.

La critique a piqué l'artiste, le poussant à se surpasser.

The criticism stung the artist, pushing him to surpass himself.

Figurative use: motivation through irritation.

Synonyms

Poindre Voler Chiper Injecter Mordre Percer Susciter Darder

Antonyms

Caresser Restituer Apaiser Émousser

Common Collocations

Piquer la curiosité

Piquer du nez

Piquer une tête

Piquer au vif

Piquer une colère

Piquer un fard

Piquer un somme

Piquer un sprint

Piquer à la machine

Se piquer de

Common Phrases

Ça pique !

— It's spicy, cold, or sharp. Used as a general exclamation for sharp sensations.

Cette sauce pique vraiment !

Se faire piquer

— To get stung, or informally, to get caught or have something stolen.

Je me suis fait piquer mon sac.

Piquer un truc

— To swipe or steal something small (slang).

Il a piqué un truc au magasin.

Piquer une crise

— To have a fit or a tantrum.

Le petit a piqué une crise au supermarché.

Piquer des yeux

— To be so tired that your eyes are closing involuntarily.

Je pique des yeux devant le film.

Piquer au truc

— To be addicted (slang/medical origin).

Il est piqué au jeu.

Piquer une pointe

— To reach a high speed suddenly.

La voiture a piqué une pointe sur l'autoroute.

Piquer le nez

— To irritate the nose (like mustard or gas).

Le chlore de la piscine me pique le nez.

Piquer droit

— To go straight ahead quickly.

Il a piqué droit vers la sortie.

Piquer l'assiette

— To eat from someone else's plate (informal).

Arrête de piquer dans mon assiette !

Often Confused With

piquer vs Mordre

Mordre is for teeth (dogs, cats). Piquer is for points (bees, needles).

piquer vs Cueillir

English 'pick' (fruit) is 'cueillir'. French 'piquer' is not for fruit.

piquer vs Pécher

Confused with 'pêcher' (to fish) or 'pécher' (to sin) due to similar sounds.

Idioms & Expressions

"Piquer un fard"

— To turn red in the face due to embarrassment.

Dès qu'on lui parle, il pique un fard.

Neutral

"Piquer une tête"

— To dive or jump into water for a swim.

L'eau est bonne, on va piquer une tête ?

Informal

"Piquer du nez"

— To fall asleep while sitting up or for a plane to dive.

Le vieil homme piquait du nez pendant le sermon.

Neutral

"Piquer au vif"

— To offend or hurt someone deeply by targeting their sensitivities.

Sa remarque sur son travail l'a piqué au vif.

Neutral

"Piquer une colère"

— To suddenly become very angry.

Il a piqué une colère monstrueuse.

Neutral

"Se piquer de"

— To boast about or pride oneself on something.

Elle se pique de bien chanter.

Formal

"Piquer un somme"

— To take a short nap.

Je vais piquer un petit somme avant de repartir.

Informal

"Piquer la vedette"

— To steal the spotlight from someone else.

Le second rôle a piqué la vedette à la star.

Neutral

"Piquer des deux"

— To spur a horse with both heels to make it gallop.

Le cavalier piqua des deux et disparut.

Literary

"Piquer une crise"

— To have a sudden emotional breakdown or fit of rage.

Elle a piqué une crise de nerfs.

Neutral

Easily Confused

piquer vs Piquer

Sounds like English 'pick'.

French 'piquer' means sting/prick/steal. English 'pick' (choose) is 'choisir' or (fruit) is 'cueillir'.

I pick a flower (Je cueille une fleur). The thorn pricks me (L'épine me pique).

piquer vs Mordre

Both involve animal attacks.

Mordre requires jaws and teeth. Piquer requires a sharp point or stinger.

Le chien mord, le moustique pique.

piquer vs Voler

Both mean to steal.

Voler is standard and formal. Piquer is informal/slang.

On a volé la Joconde. On m'a piqué mon stylo.

piquer vs Injecter

Both used in medicine.

Piquer is the physical act of the needle. Injecter is the delivery of medicine.

Elle pique le bras pour injecter l'insuline.

piquer vs Poindre

Both involve 'points'.

Poindre is literary for 'appearing' (light). Piquer is for 'piercing'.

L'aube poindrait bientôt.

Sentence Patterns

L'animal pique la personne.

L'abeille pique l'enfant.

Quelqu'un pique [objet].

Il pique mon doudou.

Piquer une [émotion/action].

Elle a piqué une crise.

Piquer du nez.

L'avion pique du nez.

Se piquer de + infinitive.

Il se pique de tout savoir.

Piquer au vif.

Sa réponse m'a piqué au vif.

Ça pique !

Attention, ça pique !

Piquer un somme.

On va piquer un somme.

Word Family

Nouns

piqûre (sting/injection)

piquet (stake/peg)

piqué (quilt/diving movement)

piqueur (stitcher/hunter)

Verbs

repiquer (to transplant/to prick again)

dépiquer (to unpick/to cheer up)

Adjectives

piquant (prickly/spicy/witty)

piqué (dotted/spoiled/crazy)

repiqué (transplanted)

pique (spade in cards/pike weapon)

pic (peak)

picoter (to peck/to tingle)

poindre (to pierce through)

pointu (sharp)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written French.

Common Mistakes

Le moustique m'a mordu. → Le moustique m'a piqué.
Insects sting or prick (piquer), they don't bite with teeth (mordre).
Je vais piquer une pomme de l'arbre. → Je vais cueillir une pomme de l'arbre.
Piquer is not used for picking fruit; use 'cueillir'.
Il se pique sa connaissance. → Il se pique de sa connaissance.
The idiom 'se piquer' (to pride oneself) requires the preposition 'de'.
Cette sauce est piquée. → Cette sauce pique.
Use the active verb or 'épicée' to describe food, not the past participle 'piquée'.
J'ai piqué mon choix. → J'ai fait mon choix / J'ai choisi.
Don't confuse English 'pick' (choose) with French 'piquer'.

Tips

Conjugation Ease

Since it is a regular -er verb, you can apply the same endings as 'parler'. This makes it one of the easiest versatile verbs to use.

Insect Attack

Always use 'piquer' for bees, wasps, and mosquitoes. Native speakers never say 'mordre' for these.

Stealing Register

Use 'piquer' for petty theft among friends, like taking a fry from someone's plate.

The Dive

Remember 'piquer une tête' for jumping into water. It's much more natural than saying 'sauter dans l'eau'.

Spicy Warning

If you are at a restaurant and the food is too hot, just say 'Ça pique !' and everyone will understand.

At the Clinic

If you are afraid of needles, you can tell the nurse: 'J'ai peur quand on me pique'.

Technical Stitch

In a craft context, 'piquer' is the specific action of the sewing machine needle.

Biting Cold

In winter, 'le vent pique' suggests a wind so cold it feels like needles on your skin.

Self-Prick

Always use 'se piquer' when you are the one who accidentally gets hurt by a pin or thorn.

Curiosity

Use 'piquer la curiosité' to describe something that grabs your attention immediately.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'P-I-C' (pick) used to 'PI-QUE' (prick) a hole. Or imagine a 'Peeking' mosquito that 'Piques' you.

Visual Association

Visualize a cactus (ça pique!) and a thief 'piquing' (stealing) a wallet with a sharp, quick movement.

Word Web

Abeille Aiguille Voler Épice Froid Colère Somme Couture

Challenge

Try to write a paragraph using 'piquer' in three different ways: literal (sting), informal (steal), and idiomatic (nap or anger).

Word Origin

From the Vulgar Latin *picarre*, which is related to the word for 'woodpecker' (picus). It entered Old French as 'piquier' around the 12th century.

Original meaning: To strike or pierce with a pointed object.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'se piquer' in a medical context, as it can refer to intravenous drug use in slang.

English speakers often say 'bite' for insects, but must use 'piquer' in French. English 'pique' (to pique interest) is a direct loan from this French verb.

The song 'Ça pique' by various artists. The phrase 'Piquer un fard' appears in many 19th-century French novels (Balzac, Flaubert). Aviation history: 'Le piqué' was a famous dive-bombing maneuver.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

Est-ce que ça va piquer ?
Une petite piqûre.
Je déteste qu'on me pique.
Piquer pour un vaccin.

In the Garden

Attention aux orties, ça pique.
Le rosier m'a piqué.
Les moustiques piquent ce soir.
Se piquer sur une épine.

With Friends (Slang)

Qui a piqué mon verre ?
Il s'est fait piquer son sac.
On va piquer un truc à manger.
Je t'ai piqué ton idée.

In the Kitchen

Pique la pâte avant de cuire.
Ouh, ça pique ce piment !
Piquer le rôti pour voir s'il est cuit.
La moutarde me pique le nez.

Describing Emotions

Il a piqué une de ces colères !
Elle a piqué un fard.
Ça m'a piqué au vif.
Piquer la curiosité.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu as déjà piqué une tête dans une eau très froide ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te pique le plus la curiosité en ce moment ?"

"Est-ce que tu piques souvent un somme l'après-midi ?"

"T'es-tu déjà fait piquer quelque chose d'important ?"

"Est-ce que tu aimes manger des plats qui piquent beaucoup ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une fois où vous avez piqué une colère noire. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?

Racontez une expérience où vous avez dû vous faire piquer chez le médecin.

Si vous deviez piquer une idée à un grand inventeur, laquelle choisiriez-vous ?

Avez-vous déjà piqué un fard dans une situation embarrassante ? Racontez.

Parlez d'un sport ou d'une activité où vous aimeriez piquer une tête (littéralement ou figurativement).

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Only in the sense of a stinging bite from an insect like a mosquito. For animals with teeth, you must use 'mordre'.

It's not exactly rude, but it is very informal. You wouldn't use it in a professional meeting or a police report, but it's fine with friends.

You say 'Ça pique !'. This refers to the stinging sensation on the tongue.

'Piquer' is the verb (to prick). 'Faire une piqûre' is the standard phrase for 'giving an injection'.

It means their head is dropping because they are falling asleep while sitting up.

No. That is a common mistake for English speakers. Use 'choisir'.

Yes, it can mean 'dotted' (tissu piqué) or even 'crazy' in old slang (être un peu piqué).

Yes, it specifically refers to machine-stitching.

It means to offend someone by hitting a sensitive spot or hurting their pride.

Yes, it is a regular -er verb, which makes it very easy to conjugate.