French Conversation · Level 78
60 words
French word
ouvre-boîte
Pronunciation
IPA/uvʁəbwat/
Meaning
- masculine nouncan opener
Example
Donne-moi l'ouvre-boîte, s'il te plaît.
Pass me the can opener, please.
More examples
Nous avons besoin d'un ouvre-boîte pour ouvrir ces conserves.
We need a can opener to open these cans.
Core concept
A tool with a cutting or piercing mechanism that opens a sealed food tin so its contents can be removed.
Common phrases
utiliser un ouvre-boîte
use a can opener
un ouvre-boîte de poche
a pocket can opener
Similar words
décapsuleur: A small tool for removing crown caps from bottles.
tire-bouchon: A tool for pulling corks from wine and similar bottles.
ouvre-bocal: A tool for opening screw-top jar and bottle lids.
Definition in French
Appareil, manuel ou électrique, conçu pour percer ou découper le couvercle des boîtes de conserve afin d'en extraire le contenu.
Word origin
The noun combines the verb form ouvre, from ouvrir, with boîte, literally naming something that opens a box or tin.
Usage tips
- The word is masculine, so standard usage is un ouvre-boîte and des ouvre-boîtes, despite boîte being feminine.