French Conversation · Level 21
89 words
French word
pincer
Pronunciation
IPA/pɛ̃se/
Meaning
- verbpinch
Example
Il se pince souvent le bras quand il est nerveux.
He often pinches his arm when he is nervous.
More examples
En rangeant la boîte, elle s'est pincée le doigt.
While putting the box away, she pinched her finger.
Core concept
Two fingers or surfaces briefly press a small area of skin or a small object tightly enough to hold or hurt.
Common phrases
se pincer le doigt
pinch one's finger
se pincer la joue
pinch one's cheek
pincer la peau
pinch the skin
Similar words
serrer: To grip something tightly with force.
presser: To apply pressure to something with the hand or fingers.
piquer: To pierce the skin with a needle or thorn.
Definition in French
Serrer brièvement entre le pouce et l'index (ou entre deux surfaces) de façon à blesser ou maintenir, en général sur la peau ou un petit objet.
Word origin
French pincer is inherited from Old French pincer or pincier, and the related noun pince names a tool that grips by pressing.
Usage tips
- For a person's own body, French commonly uses the reflexive form se pincer, as in Il se pince le bras.