paillasson

doormat

noun pah-yah-SON Rare

Origin: From paille, 'straw'.

Usage Note

Paillasson literally refers to the mat placed at an entrance to wipe shoes on. Figuratively it describes a person who lets themselves be walked over — a pushover or doormat. The phrase être un paillasson is a common insult meaning someone lacks backbone. Its etymology from paille (straw) reflects the original straw-woven construction.

Examples

"Essuie tes pieds sur le paillasson avant d'entrer."

Natural Translation

Wipe your feet on the doormat before coming in.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

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

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

En, Au, Aux: French Prepositions for Countries

Use en for feminine countries, au for masculine, aux for plural, and à for cities. Full French preposition rule for countries, with a lookup table and traps.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Liaison Rules: When to Link Words (and Not To)

French liaison links a silent final consonant to the next vowel. Learn the obligatory, forbidden, and optional rules, plus the s→z and d→t sound shifts.

June 4, 2026 5 min read