French Conversation · Level 112
59 words
French word
gratter
Pronunciation
IPA/gʁate/
Meaning
- verbscratch
Example
Il gratte son bras.
He scratches his arm.
More examples
Elle se gratte la tête en lisant le mode d'emploi.
She scratches her head while reading the instructions.
Core concept
A nail, hand, or tool drags across a surface, either easing an itch or leaving a visible mark.
Common phrases
se gratter la tête
scratch one's head
se gratter le bras
scratch one's arm
Similar words
se gratter: To scratch one's own skin to relieve itching.
démanger: To itch or feel an urge to scratch.
griffer: To mark or damage skin or a surface with claws or something sharp.
frotter: To rub a surface with a hand, cloth, or similar object.
Definition in French
Frotter ou griffer la surface de la peau, d'un objet ou d'un matériau avec l'ongle, la main ou un instrument, souvent pour soulager une démangeaison ou laisser une marque.
Word origin
French gratter comes through Old French grater from a Germanic root related to German kratzen, preserving the older sense of rubbing or scratching.
Usage tips
- For an itch, French normally uses the pronominal form se gratter, as in Il se gratte le bras.