French word

épaule

Pronunciation

IPA/epol/

Meaning

  • feminine nounshoulder

Example

J'ai mal à l'épaule.

My shoulder hurts.

Illustration for épaule (shoulder)

More examples

Elle s'est appuyée sur mon épaule pendant le trajet.

She leaned on my shoulder during the journey.

Core concept

The shoulder as a connected area of joint, muscle, and flesh at the top of the arm.

Common phrases

  • s'appuyer sur l'épaule

    lean on the shoulder

  • porter sur l'épaule

    carry on the shoulder

  • douleur à l'épaule

    shoulder pain

Similar words

bras: The arm extending from the shoulder to the fingertips.
coude: The joint where the arm bends.
poignet: The narrow, flexible joint between the hand and forearm.
omoplate: The flat bone on the back known as the shoulder blade.

Definition in French

Partie du corps située entre le bras et le tronc, englobant l'articulation et la chair environnante.

Word origin

Old French espaule gradually became modern French épaule, from Latin spatula, a form related to the source of Italian spalla.

Usage tips

  • French distinguishes the general area épaule from the shoulder blade, which is called l'omoplate when that bone is meant.

Related words

Word lists with this word