Skip to content

chiffonner

to crumple

verb shee-fo-NEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to bother (annoy)

Usage Note

Chiffonner comes from chiffon ('rag, scrap of fabric'), so literally it means to crumple or rumple cloth. Figuratively, ça me chiffonne means 'it bothers me' or 'it niggles me' — a very common and useful informal expression. The related noun chiffonnier can mean a rag-and-bone man or a type of tall narrow chest of drawers.

Examples

"Quelque chose dans cette histoire me chiffonne."

Natural Translation

Something about that story bothers me.

Explore French by topic