Kilo Lingo

le

masculine

/tʁyk/

Line drawing of truc
Coloured illustration of truc
#189 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

thing, stuff, trick (informal)

Word origin

Of uncertain origin, probably from Old Occitan truc ('blow, knock'), of imitative origin; the modern sense 'thing, knack' developed in the nineteenth century.

Origin
Old Occitan
Root
truc

Grammar

Gendermasculine

Examples

J' , .

I've got something to show you that will completely surprise you, look.

préparation.

She found a trick to save time in the preparation.

C' ?

What's this strange thing sitting on the kitchen table?

- , ' .

Pass me that thing on the table, please.

facilement.

He knows a trick to open this door easily.

Truc est un terme familier polyvalent équivalent de chose (thing) mais aussi de astuce (trick, tip). Il est omniprésent dans la conversation informelle française - son équivalent très familier est machin ou bidule (thingamajig). Dans un registre soutenu ou professionnel, on utilisera chose, objet, élément ou procédé.

Connaître tous les trucs (to know all the tricks) ou avoir des trucs (to have tips and tricks) illustrent le sens de technique ou d'astuce. C'est pas mon truc (it's not my thing, it's not my cup of tea) exprime le désintérêt. Truc de fou (insanely good thing, amazing stuff) est du registre très familier ou argotique actuel.

Used in

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This word is part of lesson 4.