pierce

percer

Faire un trou dans une partie du corps pour y porter un bijou.

En anglais simple : To make a hole in a body part so that jewelry can be worn there.

• She wants to pierce her ears.
• I had my nose pierced last summer.
• Does this studio pierce lips as well as ears?

Comment l'utiliser : have/get something pierced (She got her ears pierced last week.)

Expressions courantes : pierce someone’s ears, pierce someone’s nose

percer

Faire un trou dans quelque chose avec un objet pointu.

En anglais simple : To make a hole in something with a sharp object.

• The needle pierced the cloth.
• A thorn pierced my glove.
• Be careful not to pierce the bag with that knife.

Comment l'utiliser : pierce something with something (Pierce the lid with a sharp nail.)

Synonymes : puncture, penetrate

Expressions courantes : pierce something, pierce a hole, pierce the skin, pierce the surface

rompre, déchirer

Interrompre brusquement le silence ou un autre son continu.

En anglais simple : To suddenly interrupt silence or another continuing sound.

• A scream pierced the silence.
• The whistle pierced the steady hum of traffic.
• A baby’s cry suddenly pierced the quiet night.

Synonymes : break, interrupt

Expressions courantes : pierce the silence, pierce the quiet, pierce the air