How to Say "Belly Button" in French

nombril

The English phrase "belly button" is nombril in French.

The term refers to the small hole or scar located in the center of the stomach.

How does it change in a sentence?

The noun nombril is masculine, which is why it is used with the masculine article le to form le nombril.

The starting 'n' in nombril is likely a mistake from centuries ago. People used to say mun onbril for 'my navel' and accidentally fused the 'n' from 'my' into the word itself.
French speakers use the expression se regarder le nombril to describe someone who is narcissistic or overly self-absorbed.
In French, the concept of being the center of attention is often described as être le nombril du monde, meaning 'to be the navel of the world'.

Elle se fit percer le nombril.
She got her belly button pierced.
This sentence shows how to use nombril when talking about a piercing.
Tatoeba #2312309 by sacredceltic, translation #2311240 by Hybrid
Durant la visite médicale, le docteur a vérifié son nombril pour s'assurer qu'il n'y avait pas d'infection.
During the medical check-up, the doctor examined his belly button to make sure there was no infection.
Le nourrisson était très fragile, donc les infirmières ont pris soin de désinfecter son ombilic régulièrement.
The infant was very delicate, so the nurses took care to regularly disinfect his belly button.
Il a un petit piercing au nombril.
He has a small piercing on his belly button.
Ma fille a une petite cicatrice sur le nombril.
My daughter has a small scar on her belly button.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Lucas and Chloé are at a clothing store looking at summer clothes.

Lucas

Est-ce que ce haut laisse voir ton nombril ?
Does this top show your belly button?
Chloé

Non, il couvre bien mon nombril.
No, it covers my belly button well.
Lucas

C'est dommage, j'aime bien ton piercing au nombril.
That's a shame, I like your belly button piercing.
Chloé

Merci, c'est gentil de ta part.
Thanks, that is kind of you.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏