scier

to saw

verb SYEH Rare

Origin: From Latin 'secare' (to cut).

Also means

to bore, to annoy (informal)

Usage Note

scier literally means to cut with a saw (scier une planche — to saw a plank). In informal French, tu me scies means 'you're boring me to death' or 'you're driving me mad'. Une scie is both a saw (the tool) and an annoyingly catchy tune.

Examples

"Il scie la branche avec soin."

Natural Translation

He saws the branch carefully.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Tu vs Vous: When to Use Each in French

Tu vs vous in French: use tu for one friend, family, or child, and vous for strangers, elders, your boss, and any group. A clear etiquette guide.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read