French word

poignée

Pronunciation

IPA/pwaɲe/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhandle

Example

La poignée de la porte est cassée.

The door handle is broken.

Illustration for poignée (handle)

More examples

Tourne la poignée du robinet pour couper l'eau.

Turn the faucet handle to turn off the water.

Core concept

The place where a hand closes around an object, or the quantity enclosed by that hand.

Common phrases

  • poignée du robinet

    faucet handle

  • poignée de porte

    door handle

  • poignée du sac

    bag handle

Similar words

manche: A rod-shaped part held while using a knife or sports implement.
bouton: A small knob pressed or turned to operate a machine or door.
anse: A loop-shaped handle for lifting a cup, bag, or similar item.

Definition in French

Élément (anneau, bouton, tige) fixé à un objet et destiné à être saisi à la main pour le manipuler ou l'ouvrir; sens dérivé : petite quantité tenue dans la main.

Word origin

Poignée is derived from Old French poigne and is ultimately connected with Latin pugnus, meaning fist.

Usage tips

  • For a door handle, French uses poignée de porte, while actions often appear in phrases such as tirer sur la poignée or tourner la poignée.

Other meanings

  • handfulnoun
  • gripnoun

Word lists with this word