French · Body & Health
"Thumb" in French: pouce
le pouce
Thumb in French is le pouce. Plural les pouces. Say se coincer le pouce after a pinch, and pouce levé for thumbs-up.
Hammer mishap
Je me suis tapé sur le pouce.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pouce
Say it
poos
/pus/
Poos. Soft p; final s like s, not z.
"Thumb" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le pouce | the thumb Default. | Default. |
| les pouces | the thumbs Plural. | Plural. |
| pouce levé | thumbs-up Gesture. | Gesture. |
| règle du pouce | rule of thumb Idiom. | Idiom. |
How to use pouce in real life
- 1Hammer mishap
Je me suis tapé sur le pouce.
I hit my thumb.
Injury.
- 2Photo pose
Fais un pouce levé pour la caméra.
Do a thumbs-up for the camera.
Gesture.
- 3Gloves
Ce gant serre trop au pouce.
This glove is too tight on the thumb.
Fit.
Mistakes English speakers make with pouce
Incorrect: La pouce est gonflé.
Correct: Le pouce est gonflé.
Pouce is masculine.
Incorrect: Mon thumb fait mal.
Correct: Mon pouce fait mal.
Use pouce.
Good to know
Pouce ! can mean pause/time-out among kids. Inch is also un pouce in measurements. Don't confuse with pousse (a sprout)—different word.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After closing a door on a hand
ChatPal
Ça va, ton pouce ?
Is your thumb okay?
You
Aïe, le pouce est tout rouge.
Ouch—the thumb is all red.
ChatPal
Mets de la glace sur le pouce.
Put ice on the thumb.
You
Oui, j'y vais.
Yes, on it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Thumb" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Thumb" in French
How do you say thumb?
Le pouce.
How do I say thumbs-up?
Pouce levé.
What is the plural?
Les pouces.
How do you pronounce pouce?
Poos.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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