grosse tête
The English phrase "big head" can be translated into French as grosse tête.
This phrase is used to describe a person who is arrogant or possesses an inflated sense of their own importance. In French, you typically use this idiom with the verb avoir (to have), forming the expression avoir la grosse tête (to have a big head).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of grosse (big/fat) and tête (head).
Which one should you use?
While grosse tête is the idiomatic way to describe someone's arrogance, tête volumineuse implies a larger-than-average head size and maintains a formal tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because this is a feminine noun phrase, it uses the feminine article une and the feminine adjective grosse.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using grande tête to describe someone's arrogance. English speakers often mistakenly use grande tête instead of grosse tête when trying to translate the idiom for arrogance.
Did you know?
- The word tête comes from the Latin word testa, which meant 'pot' or 'brick'. This suggests that the French language historically compared the human skull to a piece of pottery.
- The French expression se prendre la tête uses the word tête to mean 'to overthink' or 'to get stressed out'. It literally means 'to take one's own head'.
- In certain French slang, a tête can also refer to a 'face' or a 'look', meaning you could be describing someone's appearance rather than their character.
Examples in context
- Devinez, devinez : qui suis-je ? J'ai une grosse tête, un pied en bois, et je danse beaucoup.Riddle me this, riddle me that, what could it be? I have a big head, I have a wooden foot, and I dance a lot.This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase grosse tête used in a riddle.Tatoeba #13979407 by menaud, translation #13979274 by IdiomHunter
- Tu vois cette fille là-bas ? Elle a vraiment un gros melon !Do you see that girl over there? She really has a big ego!
- Il a une grosse tête avec tout ce qu'il raconte.He has a big head with everything he says.
- Ne lui fais pas de compliments, il a une grosse tête.Don't give him compliments, he has a big head.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing a new coworker.
- LucasCe nouveau collègue est vraiment arrogant.This new colleague is really arrogant.
- ManonC'est vrai, il a une grosse tête.It's true, he has a big head.
- LucasIl pense être le meilleur de l'équipe.He thinks he is the best on the team.
- ManonIl faut le remettre à sa place.We need to put him in his place.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tête, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
