le couteau
knife
Objet tranchant utilisé pour couper des aliments ou d'autres choses, composé d'une lame et d'un manche.
Definition & meaning
Couteau means “knife” in English.
Common uses:
- A cutting tool with a blade and a handle (e.g., un couteau de cuisine = a kitchen knife).
- By extension, it can refer to a pocketknife or utility knife depending on context (e.g., un couteau de poche).
Figurative sense (context-dependent):
- It can evoke the idea of something sharp, cutting, or threatening, especially in expressions involving conflict or danger.
Grammar & Word origin
- Part of speech: noun (common noun)
- Gender: masculine — un couteau
- Plural: des couteaux (note the irregular plural spelling)
- Etymology (brief): comes from Old French coute(l), ultimately from Latin cultellus (“small knife”).
Synonyms & antonyms
French synonyms
- lame (blade; often refers to the blade rather than the whole knife)
- canif (pocketknife)
- poignard (dagger; more weapon-like)
- cutter (box cutter/utility knife; often borrowed usage)
French antonyms
No strict single-word antonym is commonly used. Depending on context, opposites may be expressed by ideas like:
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Examples
Ce couteau coupe très bien.noun
This knife cuts very well.
Marie achète un nouveau couteau.noun
Marie buys a new knife.
Les couteaux sont sur la table.noun
The knives are on the table.
Nous avons perdu les couteaux hier soir.noun
We lost the knives last night.
Le couteau brille sous la lumière.noun
The knife shines under the light.
Le garçon a perdu son couteau hier.noun
The boy lost his knife yesterday.
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