When you're shopping in France, you'll likely need to know the word for 'size,' which is most commonly la taille. But what about the size of a file, the size of a room, or the size of a company? French has a variety of words to describe dimensions, scale, and magnitude, and using the right one can make you sound much more like a native speaker. Getting them right is essential for everything from buying the perfect pair of jeans to describing a huge monument. Let's explore 9 different ways to say 'size' in French and the specific contexts for using each one!

1. The standard 'size' (for clothing) – la taille

La taille is the most common and standard French word for 'size,' specifically when referring to clothing like pants, skirts, dresses, and shirts. It is a feminine noun, so you will always see it preceded by articles like la or une.

You will frequently use this word in a shopping context. To ask for something in a specific size, you use the preposition en. For example: Je voudrais cette chemise en taille 40 (I would like this shirt in a size 40).

To ask someone their size, you can use several common phrases. The most direct is Quelle est votre taille ? (What is your size?). A very common, slightly more informal alternative is Vous faites quelle taille ?.

When stating your own size, you typically use the verb faire (to do/make). For example, you would say, Je fais du 38 (I wear a size 38). The structure faire du + [size] is a set phrase for this context.

Crucially, la taille is only for clothing. For shoe size, you must use the word la pointure. For example: Je fais du 42 could mean you wear a size 42 in pants, but for shoes, you must specify: Ma pointure est le 42 or Je chausse du 42.

Be aware that la taille can also mean 'waist' or 'height' depending on the context. For instance, un tour de taille is a 'waist measurement'. However, in a clothing store, la taille will almost always be understood as clothing size.

💡 * Quelle est votre taille pour cette robe ?

• Je cherche ce pantalon en taille M (medium).
• Malheureusement, nous n'avons plus votre taille en stock.
• Vous faites quelle taille ? Je fais du 36.
• Cette jupe n'est pas à la bonne taille, elle est trop petite.

The 'shoe size' – la pointure

When discussing footwear in French, the essential term you need to know for "shoe size" is la pointure.

La pointure is a feminine noun used specifically for the size of shoes, boots, or other footwear. It's the direct equivalent of "shoe size" in English and is fundamental for any shopping trip involving shoes.

To ask someone their shoe size in a store or in conversation, you can use the formal question, Quelle est votre pointure ? (What is your shoe size?). A more colloquial but very common alternative is Vous chaussez du combien ?

To state your own shoe size, the most common phrase is Je fais du... followed by the number, for example, Je fais du 42 (I wear a size 42). You can also say Ma pointure est le 42.

Be aware that shoe sizes in France and Europe are different from those in the US or UK. A French pointure 40 is not the same as a US size 40. Always refer to a conversion chart when buying shoes to ensure you get the right fit.

The verb directly related to shoe size is chausser. It means "to wear" in the context of shoes or "to fit." For instance, you can also say Je chausse du 42 to mean "I wear a size 42."

💡 * Quelle est votre pointure, s'il vous plaît ?

• Je fais du 38, mais ce modèle taille petit.
• Malheureusement, nous n'avons plus cette pointure en stock.
• Ces chaussures me chaussent parfaitement.
• Tu chausses du combien ?

The 'dimensions' of an object – les dimensions

When you need to talk about the physical size of an object, the French term you're looking for is les dimensions. This word is a direct cognate of the English 'dimensions' and is used in a very similar context, making it easy to remember.

To specify the different dimensions, you'll need to know the specific nouns for each measurement:

• La longueur - length
• La largeur - width
• La hauteur - height
• La profondeur - depth

A common way to state an object's dimensions is by using the verb faire (to make/to be). The structure is typically [Object] + fait + [measurement] + de + [dimension]. For example, La table fait deux mètres de longueur (The table is two meters long).

To ask about an object's size, you can use the question, Quelles sont les dimensions de...? (What are the dimensions of...?). For example, Quelles sont les dimensions de ce colis ? (What are the dimensions of this package?).

In writing, especially in technical specifications or product descriptions, dimensions are often abbreviated just as in English. You will commonly see them listed as longueur x largeur x hauteur, for instance: 50cm x 30cm x 15cm.

💡 * Quelles sont les dimensions exactes de ce meuble ?

• Ce carton fait 40 centimètres de longueur, 30 de largeur et 20 de hauteur.
• La hauteur sous plafond est de 2,50 mètres.
• J'ai besoin de la largeur de la fenêtre pour commander les rideaux.
• La piscine a une profondeur de trois mètres.

The 'height' or 'stature' of a person – la stature

When describing a person's overall physical presence, including their height and build, the French word is la stature.

La stature translates to 'stature,' 'build,' or 'height.' It's more descriptive than the more common word la taille (height/size). While la taille refers to a simple measurement, la stature conveys a sense of a person's entire physical presence and bearing.

This noun is often used in a more formal or literary context to describe someone's impressive or notable physical form. You would use it to paint a picture of a person, not just to state their height in centimeters.

La stature is a feminine noun, so it is always used with feminine articles and adjectives, such as une stature imposante (an imposing stature) or sa haute stature (his/her tall stature).

💡 * Il est de haute stature, mais très gentil. (He is of a tall stature, but very kind.)

• L'athlète a une stature impressionnante. (The athlete has an impressive stature.)
• Malgré sa petite stature, il était très courageux. (Despite his small stature, he was very brave.)
• Sa stature élégante attirait tous les regards. (Her elegant stature drew all eyes.)

The 'scope' or 'scale' – l'envergure

At its most literal, l'envergure (a feminine noun) refers to the wingspan of a bird or an airplane. This physical sense of breadth and extent is key to understanding its figurative meaning.

More frequently, l'envergure is used figuratively to describe the scope, scale, magnitude, or caliber of something abstract. It conveys the full size and importance of a situation, a project, or a person's abilities.

This word is common in formal, professional, or academic contexts. You use it to talk about the significance of an event (un événement d'envergure), the complexity of a problem (un problème de grande envergure), or the talent of an individual (un artiste de son envergure).

It is often used in the expression de grande envergure which means 'large-scale' or 'major'. For example, une réforme de grande envergure is a major reform.

Incorporating l'envergure into your vocabulary is a fantastic way to sound more fluent and precise, allowing you to move beyond basic words like grand (big) to describe the significance and scale of things.

💡 * C'est un projet de grande envergure qui nécessite beaucoup d'investissement.

• L'entreprise a sous-estimé l'envergure de la crise.
• C'est un homme politique d'une autre envergure.
• L'envergure de cet aigle peut atteindre deux mètres.

The 'format' or 'file size' – le format or la taille du fichier

When discussing digital files in French, the key terms for 'format' and 'file size' are le format and la taille du fichier, respectively. These are standard technical terms used just like their English counterparts.

Le format refers to the type of file, such as .pdf, .docx, .jpg, or .mp3. The word format is masculine in French, so you always use the article le or un. For example, you would say 'un document au format PDF' (a document in PDF format).

La taille du fichier translates directly to 'the size of the file.' It describes how much storage space the file occupies, measured in octets (bytes), kilooctets (ko), mégaoctets (Mo), or gigaoctets (Go). The word taille (size) is feminine.

These terms are essential in any IT or office context. You might need to check the format before opening a file or verify the file size before sending it as an attachment. For example, 'Vérifiez la taille du fichier' means 'Check the file size.'

💡 * Quel est le format de ce document ?

• La taille du fichier est trop grande pour être envoyée par e-mail.
• Veuillez enregistrer l'image au format PNG.
• Je dois compresser la vidéo pour réduire sa taille.

The 'volume' or 'bulk' – le volume

The French noun le volume directly translates to 'volume' in English. It's a masculine noun used to describe the amount of space something occupies, the loudness of a sound, or a large quantity of something.

In its most common uses, le volume refers to physical space, just like in geometry (e.g., le volume d'un cylindre). It is also the standard term for the intensity of a sound, as in turning the volume up or down on a device.

Beyond physical space and sound, le volume can also mean 'bulk,' 'amount,' or 'quantity,' especially in business or data contexts. For example, you might talk about le volume des ventes (sales volume) or le volume de données (data volume).

💡 * Pouvez-vous baisser le volume de la musique, s'il vous plaît ? (Can you lower the music's volume, please?)

• Le volume de ce colis est trop grand pour la boîte aux lettres. (The volume of this package is too large for the mailbox.)
• L'entreprise a connu une augmentation du volume de ses exportations cette année. (The company saw an increase in the volume of its exports this year.)

The 'magnitude' or 'greatness' – la grandeur

The 'magnitude' or 'greatness' – la grandeur

The feminine noun la grandeur translates to 'size,' 'magnitude,' 'scale,' or 'greatness.' It's a versatile word used for both physical dimensions and abstract qualities.

La grandeur is often used to describe something profound or impressive. While you can talk about la grandeur d'une maison (the size of a house), it's frequently used to convey nobility or importance, like la grandeur d'une civilisation (the greatness of a civilization).

A key concept associated with this word is la grandeur d'âme, which means 'greatness of soul' or 'magnanimity.' This highlights its use in describing admirable moral character, not just physical size.

💡 * On admire la grandeur des pyramides d'Égypte. (We admire the magnitude of the Egyptian pyramids.)

• Il a fait preuve d'une grande grandeur d'âme en pardonnant à son ennemi. (He showed great magnanimity by forgiving his enemy.)
• C'est un événement d'une grandeur historique. (It is an event of historical greatness.)
• L'artiste a voulu capturer la grandeur du paysage dans son tableau. (The artist wanted to capture the grandeur of the landscape in his painting.)

1. The 'waist size' – le tour de taille

The standard French term for 'waist size' or 'waist measurement' is le tour de taille. This is the phrase you will use in most contexts, from shopping for clothes to visiting a doctor.

Let's break down the phrase. 'Le tour' translates to 'the circumference' or 'the turn,' and 'la taille' means 'the waist' or 'size.' Combined, le tour de taille literally means 'the circumference of the waist,' which perfectly describes the measurement.

You'll frequently encounter le tour de taille when buying clothes, especially pants, skirts, or belts. A salesperson might ask, Quel est votre tour de taille? ('What is your waist size?'). It's also a common measurement used in health and fitness contexts.

To ask for someone's waist size, you can simply say: Quel est ton tour de taille? (informal) or Quel est votre tour de taille? (formal). This is a direct and polite way to request the measurement.

💡 * Quel est votre tour de taille, s'il vous plaît ? (What is your waist size, please?)

• Je dois mesurer mon tour de taille pour commander ce jean en ligne. (I need to measure my waist size to order these jeans online.)
• Le guide des tailles indique un tour de taille de 76 cm pour la taille M. (The size guide indicates a waist measurement of 76 cm for a size M.)
• Mon tour de taille a changé, j'ai besoin d'une nouvelle ceinture. (My waist size has changed, I need a new belt.)

Are there other ways to say 'size' in French?

Are there other ways to say “size” in French?

Our list has covered the essential words for “size” in French, from la taille for clothes to la pointure for shoes. But the French language, with its love for precision, has many other specific terms you might encounter.

To discover more, you can do an online search for “comment mesurer en français” followed by a specific object, like “un meuble” (a piece of furniture) or “un fichier numérique” (a digital file).

When you find a new synonym like la dimension, la corpulence, or l'envergure, pay close attention to the context. Checking example sentences is the best way to understand if a word refers to physical measurement, scale, or even a person's build.

As you read, shop, or watch things in French, you'll start to see these different words in action. A recipe might list the size of a baking dish, while a news report might discuss the size of a company. Real-world context is your best teacher.

For a deeper dive into the nuances of these words, online dictionaries like Larousse or the WordReference forums are excellent resources. You can often find detailed discussions by native speakers on which word to use in a specific situation.

I hope this article helps you describe the world around you with more accuracy in French. Choosing the right word for “size” is a small detail that can make your French sound much more natural. Bonne continuation !