cheveux noirs
The English phrase "black hair" is translated into French as cheveux noirs.
cheveux noirs is used to describe hair that is black in color.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun cheveux (hair) and the adjective noirs (black).
Which one should you use?
While cheveux noirs refers specifically to black hair, it is common in French-speaking cultures to use cheveux bruns to describe dark brown hair.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective noirs must agree in gender and number with the masculine plural noun cheveux. When describing a person's hair in French, the definite article les is often used instead of a possessive adjective, such as in the construction avoir les cheveux noirs.
Did you know?
- If you accidentally use the word poils instead of cheveux to describe someone's 'black hair', you are implying they have coarse hair like an animal or a rug.
- In a poetic or literary context, French may use the word ébène ('ebony') instead of noirs to describe hair that is deep, lustrous black.
- In French, the word cheveux is almost always plural when referring to the hair on a head. Using the singular cheveu refers to a single, individual strand of hair.
Examples in context
- Tom a les cheveux noirs.Tom has black hair.This sentence shows how to use cheveux noirs to describe someone's hair.Tatoeba #6593928 by GB3, translation #2548601 by CK
- J'ai les yeux bruns et les cheveux noirs.I have brown eyes and black hair.This sentence uses cheveux noirs alongside a description of eye color.Tatoeba #11932562 by lbdx, translation #2055264 by Dejo
- Ils ont la peau marron et les cheveux noirs.They have brown skin and black hair.This sentence uses cheveux noirs to describe someone with brown skin.Tatoeba #1120012 by Sibelius, translation #305376 by CM
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at a photo of a new classmate.
- LucasEst-ce qu'elle a les cheveux noirs ?Does she have black hair?
- ChloéNon, elle a les cheveux blonds.No, she has blonde hair.
- LucasAh, et toi, tu préfères les cheveux noirs ?Ah, and you, do you prefer black hair?
- ChloéOui, je trouve que c'est très joli.Yes, I think it's very pretty.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
