This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Cooking / Culinary

une pointe de couteau de

English translation: a pinch

11:13 Feb 23, 2006
French to English translations [PRO]
Cooking / Culinary
French term or phrase: une pointe de couteau de
From a French recipe:

Salez, poivrez, ajoutez une pointe de couteau de paprika.

A very common term in French recipes.
Is there a specific English lang equivalent?
A pinch? Or is it smaller than that?

Thanks for any advice...
Philip Taylor
Local time: 23:25
English translation:a pinch
Explanation:
as you say :-)
Selected response from:

Sue Pasco (X)
Local time: 00:25
Grading comment
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +16a pinch
Sue Pasco (X)
4 +2a dash of
RHELLER
4A speck of paprika
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
4a hint of paprika
Calou


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +16
a pinch


Explanation:
as you say :-)

Sue Pasco (X)
Local time: 00:25
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Susan. I think a pinch is probably an indefinite enough amount to fit the bill, yes, though I was wondering if the French expression sought to emphasise that the amount to be used was very small - a 'small pinch' perhaps? Then again, what's the difference between a pinch and a small pinch ?!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  MoiraB: exactly!
1 min
  -> thanks!
agree  MDI-IDM: Yes, it's a pinch... just try it out sometime!
3 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Jocelyne S
4 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Alexandra Hague: For spices, the amount is really up to individual taste. You could say a small pinch of paprika. I have seen it in recipes. Or you could try "a pinch of paprika, or to taste" or something like that.
7 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Alison Jenner
8 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Tony M
14 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Claire Cox: I suppose when you think about it, you often can't get your fingers in the jar to take a pinch, so the tip of a knife is what you use!
27 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  writeaway
31 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Rachel Fell
52 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  awilliams
58 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  LJC (X)
58 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Judy Gregg
4 hrs
  -> thanks!
agree  Jolanta Tuzel
5 hrs
agree  Claudia Vale
5 hrs
agree  sporran
6 hrs
agree  roneill
7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
A speck of paprika


Explanation:
A pinch would be too much for paprika. It is smaller than that.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 35 mins (2006-02-23 11:49:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You usually sprinkle it from the bottle.
Or you can say, a touch of paprika.

Do we get the recipe?

Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Local time: 00:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
a hint of paprika


Explanation:
En ce qui me concerne, c'est ce qui m'est venu tout de suite...
Pour moi, "pinch" correspond plus à une pincée, tandis que "hint", à un soupçon, ce qui est à mon avis le plus proche d'une pointe de couteau... good luck !

Istanbul Café New Haven - Dinner Menu - [ Traduire cette page ]
$19.00 A delicious entree of fresh baked sea bass. The smooth buttery sweetness of the fish enlivened by scallion, parsley, and just a hint of paprika. ...
www.istanbulcafect.com/dinner_menu.html - 16k - En cache - Pages similaires

The Observer | Magazine | In the slow lane - [ Traduire cette page ]
Rarely has a meal got such a resounding thumbs up as the leg of lamb I slow-roasted with cumin, thyme, garlic and the merest hint of paprika. ...
observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1441565,00.html - 44k - En cache - Pages similaires

Chicken Basque from Delia Online - [ Traduire cette page ]
... around the western Mediterranean but, to my mind, this Spanish version, with the addition of spicy chorizo sausage and a hint of paprika, beats the lot. ...
www.deliaonline.com/recipes/chicken-basque,1321,RC.html - 19k - En cache - Pages similaires

Dog & Partridge Country Inn, Derbyshire, UK - [ Traduire cette page ]
Chicken breast cooked in a white wine and ginger sauce, with a hint of paprika. Chicken in Wild Mushrooms £13.95. Breast of chicken cooked in a sauce of ...
www.dogandpartridge.co.uk/cuisine.htm - 38k - En cache - Pages similaires



Calou
Local time: 00:25
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Theodora OB
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Theodora
disagree  Claudia Vale: I think 'hint' is used more often after the dish has been cooked, in order to describe the taste of something.
3 hrs
  -> I don't think so ;o) Comme je le disais, un "hint" est un soupçon (une pointe), qu'il soit ajouté avant, pendant ou en fin de cuisson ne fait aucune différence.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
a dash of


Explanation:
it's smaller than a pinch -
take out a pointed knife and insert just the tip (triangle) in a spice jar and you will see - of course, this is highly unscientific but used in many recipes

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 16:25
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 42

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  PB Trans
11 mins
  -> my mother-in-law gives me recipes like this, without writing it down, of course!
agree  roneill: Perfect
2 hrs
  -> thanks R O'Neill :-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search