verb

coller

stick · glue

Mettre deux choses ensemble pour qu'elles restent attachées grâce à une substance spéciale.

The French verb "coller" primarily means "to stick," "to glue," or "to paste." It refers to the action of attaching one thing to another by using an adhesive or by pressing them together so they adhere.

Main meanings of "coller":

To glue or stick something physically (e.g., "coller une affiche au mur" – to stick a poster on the wall).
To press or shove something against a surface (e.g., "coller une étiquette" – to stick a label).
Informal/colloquial uses, such as in school slang, "coller" means giving detention or punishing a student (e.g., "Le professeur m'a collé après les cours" – The teacher gave me detention after class).
To closely follow or stay close to someone (e.g., "Le chien colle son maître" – The dog stays close to its owner).

Synonyms and nuances:

"Adhérer" means "to adhere" or "to stick" and is often used in more technical or formal contexts, such as materials or surfaces bonding.
"Fixer" means "to fix" or "to attach," which can involve methods other than gluing, like nailing or screwing.
"Plaquer" means "to press" or "to flatten against," used more often in sports or physical contexts.

Compared to these, "coller" emphasizes the adhesive aspect or the act of pressing together so things stick.

In summary, "coller" is a versatile verb most commonly used for gluing or sticking physically but also in figurative or informal expressions like penalizing students or following closely.