verbverb

tailler

trim · carve

C'est couper ou donner une forme à quelque chose avec un outil, comme des ciseaux ou un couteau.

Word: tailler

Language: French

Meaning:

The verb tailler primarily means:

To cut / To shape / To carve
This is the most common usage. It refers to the act of cutting something (like wood, stone, or hair) in order to give it a particular shape or size.
To tailor / To tailor-fit
It can also mean to craft or adjust clothes to fit someone.
To sharpen
When applied to tools like pencils or knives, it means to sharpen or pare down.
To prune or trim
Often used in the context of plants, to cut branches or stems to encourage growth.
Colloquial / Figurative usages:
- To "tailler une bavette" means to have a chat or a gossip.
- "Tailler" can also mean to critique harshly or insult someone, colloquially.

Parts / Usage:

It is a regular -er verb.
Common forms:
- Je taille (I cut/shape)
- Tu tailles
- Il/Elle taille
- Nous taillons
- Vous taillez
- Ils/Elles taillent

Examples:

Tailler du bois – To carve or shape wood.
Tailler ses crayons – To sharpen pencils.
Tailler une plante – To prune a plant.
Le tailleur peut tailler un costume sur mesure. – The tailor can customize a suit.

Synonyms:

Couper (to cut)
Découper (to cut out)
Sculpter (to sculpt, carve)
Élaguer (to prune, cut back risk/branches)
Façonner (to shape)

Antonyms:

Assembler – to assemble, put together (opposite of cutting or shaping)
Rallonger – to lengthen (opposite of trimming or shortening)

Summary:

Tailler is a versatile French verb that generally involves cutting, shaping, pruning, or sharpening an object or material. It also carries some figurative meanings and is used in tailor-related contexts as well as informal expressions.