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. English to French
  3. Construction / Civil Engineering

2x4 lumber

French translation: bastaing / chevron / madrier 50 × 100 mm

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:2×4 lumber
French translation:bastaing / chevron / madrier 50 × 100 mm
Entered by: Tony M

14:46 Apr 4, 2012
English to French translations [PRO]
Construction / Civil Engineering
English term or phrase: 2x4 lumber
The Peak Gate Kit is the easiest and most economical way possible to build a strong, safe and attractive gate that will not sag.
The Peak Gate Kit is made from attractive powder coated steel for strength and durability.
Use it to build left or right swing gates from 24” up to 72” wide (61cm to 183cm).
Comes with all hinges and fasteners, including stainless steel screws. The Peak Gate Kit uses 2x4 lumber for fast, easy assembly.
NikkoTh
chevron '2×4'
Explanation:
If this is for Canada, then I think it would be OK to keep the 2×4, but if for Europe, then it might be better to express the size in cm.

At least over here in France, when I want a piece of timber of this sort of size, my wood-yard manager says "Oh, you mean 'chevron'!"

According to my purely empirical observations, wood with a cross-section in these sort of proportions (i.e. relatively 'square', both dimensions of the same order of magnitude, not significantly wider than it is thick) is referred to by different names according to its overall scale — from 'liteau' for the smallest stuff, to 'tasseau' (like GB 2×2 etc.), then 'chevron', and lastly 'madrier' for thumping great beams (as Germaine has pointed out).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:12:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Not forgetting 'bastaing'!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:15:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In fact, according to this one timber supplier, timber of this sort of scale is called 'bastaing':

http://www.castorama.fr/store/Bois-de-charpente-cat_id_192.h...

(Note: you need to scroll through the 5 pages to see various sizes, and don't take any notice of the generic photos!)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:17:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here's an interesting definition of 'bast(a)ing' from GDT:

"Définition :
Sciage aligné parallèle dont le rapport des dimensions des côtés est compris entre 2 et 3; ces dimensions allant de 55 x 155 à 65 x 185 mm."

So just fits for 4×2!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:19:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

For what it's worth, here is a GDT entry for 'madrier':

Pièce de bois sommairement équarrie dont les dimensions transversales dépassent un certain minimum (qui varie d'un pays à l'autre).

Sciage aligné parallèle dont le rapport des dimensions des côtés de la section transversale est compris entre 2 et 3, ces dimensions allant de 75x205 mm à 105x225 (AFNOR).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2012-04-05 06:04:14 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Definition of 'chevron' found on GDT:

Sciage aligné parallèle de longueur quelconque (généralement plus de 2,50 mètres de long) et de section sensiblement carrée de 40 à 120 millimètres de côté.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 days (2012-04-18 06:35:50 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Here's a web page that illustrates several sizes of timber, sadly none corresponding exactly to our case here:

http://www.gaiffe.com/produits.htm

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 days (2012-04-18 06:44:08 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I don't think this 1:2 ratio cross section is common in France; I know at our local scierie, when I wanted some good old "four-by-two" (what we call it in the UK) to build a studwork partition, they looked at me very oddly and were going to have to cut it specially for me; when I explained what I needed it for, they said "Oh, you want some six-huit' — a squarer section, closer to 'chevron'

Note that 'solive' is also used (= 'joist'), and seems to be more loosely defined — e.g. the web page I cited above classes all the other various forms of wood under the heading 'solive'; however, in UK usage, a 'joist' would usually have a deeper cross section, for example 1:4, as in an 8" × 2" joist, thus bringing it closer to a 'bastaing' (as per the GDT definition mentioned above)
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 18:33
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1chevrons de 50x100
Anne Bohy
2 +3chevron '2×4'
Tony M
5 -1madrier de 2 (po) x 4 (po)
Daniel Marquis
5 -12x4 Madrier
CHAKIB ROULA (X)
3 +1des 2x4 / pièces de bois de 2x4
Anne-Marie Laliberté (X)
4 -12x4 bois de charpente
CHAKIB ROULA (X)
3 -2planche 38 x 89 mm
florence metzger


Discussion entries: 8





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -1
madrier de 2 (po) x 4 (po)


Explanation:
Ce sont les valeurs nominales des dimensions (largeur et épaisseur) du madrier en pouces (po).

Daniel Marquis
Works in field
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 253

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Germaine: Le madrier (baulk) fait généralement + 4x4,5 [UK], 6x4 [US]. Pour les 2x4 on parle de poteaux d'ossature (ou de colombages) / Je sais ça. Mon point: demandez un "madrier" dans une cour à bois, on ne vous offre pas des 2x4, mais plutôt du 4x6 et+.
18 mins
  -> Sachez qu'il s'agit ici de dimensions NOMINALES et non de dimensions EXACTES. On sait très bien que les dimensions réelles sont inférieures à 2 pouces et à 4 pouces. Cependant, en Amérique du Nord, on conserve les valeurs NOMINALES 2 x 4.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -2
planche 38 x 89 mm


Explanation:
une suggestion...

florence metzger
Local time: 18:33
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 545

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Germaine: on ne peut pas vraiment parler de "planche" ici.
18 mins
  -> on parle de construction de barrière, donc le mot planche me parait correcte
disagree  Tony M: Even in EN, 4×2 has the wrong proportions (too 'square') to be a 'plank', and I feel sure from practical experience that the same applies in FR.
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
2x4 bois de charpente


Explanation:
Very basic translation per regard of the content.

CHAKIB ROULA (X)
Algeria
Local time: 17:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Germaine: ou 2 x 4 ou poteaux 2x4, tout simplement / Effectivement, Daniel a raison.
23 mins
neutral  Daniel Marquis: On ne peut utiliser cette traduction telle quelle dans la phrase.
38 mins
disagree  Anne-Marie Laliberté (X): Pour la charpente, on parle de montants de 8 pieds de long normalement. Ici, les pièces de bois forment le cadre d'une barrière.
7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -1
2x4 Madrier


Explanation:
celle-ci me semble trés pertinente.

CHAKIB ROULA (X)
Algeria
Local time: 17:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Daniel Marquis: On ne peut pas laisser cette traduction telle quelle dans la phrase indiquée en contexte.
18 mins
disagree  Germaine: + comme je le disais plus haut, "madrier" ne désigne pas un 2x4
31 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
des 2x4 / pièces de bois de 2x4


Explanation:
...

Anne-Marie Laliberté (X)
Local time: 12:33
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Germaine: des 2x4
4 hrs
  -> Merci et bonsoir, Germaine ! :o)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
chevrons de 50x100


Explanation:
Dans ces dimensions-là, cela s'appelle des chevrons, et les dimensions s'expriment en mm.
(tout ceci en France, bien sûr)

Anne Bohy
France
Local time: 18:33
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 59

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +3
chevron '2×4'


Explanation:
If this is for Canada, then I think it would be OK to keep the 2×4, but if for Europe, then it might be better to express the size in cm.

At least over here in France, when I want a piece of timber of this sort of size, my wood-yard manager says "Oh, you mean 'chevron'!"

According to my purely empirical observations, wood with a cross-section in these sort of proportions (i.e. relatively 'square', both dimensions of the same order of magnitude, not significantly wider than it is thick) is referred to by different names according to its overall scale — from 'liteau' for the smallest stuff, to 'tasseau' (like GB 2×2 etc.), then 'chevron', and lastly 'madrier' for thumping great beams (as Germaine has pointed out).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:12:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Not forgetting 'bastaing'!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:15:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In fact, according to this one timber supplier, timber of this sort of scale is called 'bastaing':

http://www.castorama.fr/store/Bois-de-charpente-cat_id_192.h...

(Note: you need to scroll through the 5 pages to see various sizes, and don't take any notice of the generic photos!)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:17:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here's an interesting definition of 'bast(a)ing' from GDT:

"Définition :
Sciage aligné parallèle dont le rapport des dimensions des côtés est compris entre 2 et 3; ces dimensions allant de 55 x 155 à 65 x 185 mm."

So just fits for 4×2!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-04 16:19:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

For what it's worth, here is a GDT entry for 'madrier':

Pièce de bois sommairement équarrie dont les dimensions transversales dépassent un certain minimum (qui varie d'un pays à l'autre).

Sciage aligné parallèle dont le rapport des dimensions des côtés de la section transversale est compris entre 2 et 3, ces dimensions allant de 75x205 mm à 105x225 (AFNOR).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2012-04-05 06:04:14 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Definition of 'chevron' found on GDT:

Sciage aligné parallèle de longueur quelconque (généralement plus de 2,50 mètres de long) et de section sensiblement carrée de 40 à 120 millimètres de côté.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 days (2012-04-18 06:35:50 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Here's a web page that illustrates several sizes of timber, sadly none corresponding exactly to our case here:

http://www.gaiffe.com/produits.htm

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 days (2012-04-18 06:44:08 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I don't think this 1:2 ratio cross section is common in France; I know at our local scierie, when I wanted some good old "four-by-two" (what we call it in the UK) to build a studwork partition, they looked at me very oddly and were going to have to cut it specially for me; when I explained what I needed it for, they said "Oh, you want some six-huit' — a squarer section, closer to 'chevron'

Note that 'solive' is also used (= 'joist'), and seems to be more loosely defined — e.g. the web page I cited above classes all the other various forms of wood under the heading 'solive'; however, in UK usage, a 'joist' would usually have a deeper cross section, for example 1:4, as in an 8" × 2" joist, thus bringing it closer to a 'bastaing' (as per the GDT definition mentioned above)

Tony M
France
Local time: 18:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 237
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anne Bohy: OK pour chevron
8 hrs
  -> Merci, Bohy !
agree  GILLES MEUNIER
11 hrs
  -> Merci, Gilles !
agree  enrico paoletti
1 day 5 hrs
  -> Grazie, Enrico!
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