French Conversation · Level 173
15 words
French word
nouer
Pronunciation
IPA/nwe/
Meaning
- verbtie
Example
Je vais nouer mes lacets.
I am going to tie my shoelaces.
More examples
Il faut nouer la cravate avant la réunion.
You need to tie your tie before the meeting.
Core concept
A knot draws separate ends together, whether it fastens a cord or represents a newly formed connection.
Common phrases
nouer ses lacets
tie one's shoelaces
nouer une cravate
tie a tie
nouer des liens
form bonds
Similar words
lier: To join things together by tying them.
attacher: To secure something with a cord or fastener so it cannot move.
boucler: To fasten a belt or clasp securely.
serrer: To pull a cord tightly to make it firm.
Definition in French
Former un nœud pour attacher quelque chose ou lier des éléments entre eux, ou au sens figuré établir un lien.
Word origin
Nouer traces back through Old French noer and nouer to Latin nodus, 'knot', and is etymologically related to French nœud.
Usage tips
- Nouer is pronounced roughly like 'nway', with the final vowel letters forming one glide rather than two syllables.