singe noir
The French phrase for "black monkey" is singe noir.
The phrase is used to describe a monkey that has black fur.
Which one should you use?
While singe noir is the standard way to say a black monkey, you may hear the colloquial expression Un singe tout noir used to emphasize that the monkey is completely black.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form singe noir is in the masculine singular. To express the plural form "black monkeys", you must add an s to both the noun and the adjective, resulting in singes noirs.
Did you know?
- The word singe can be used as a verb, singer, which means to mimic or ape someone's behavior in a mocking way.
- The word noir shares a common ancestor with the word nègre, though they evolved to have very different social connotations in modern French.
- While singe noir is literal, calling someone a singe in French is a common way to call them a 'monkey' or a 'fool' in an informal setting.
Examples in context
- J'ai vu un singe noir dans la forêt.I saw a black monkey in the forest.
- Le singe noir grimpe rapidement dans les arbres.The black monkey climbs quickly in the trees.
- J'ai vu un singe noir au zoo.I saw a black monkey at the zoo.
- Le singe noir mange une banane.The black monkey is eating a banana.
- Est-ce que c'est un singe noir ?Is that a black monkey?
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are looking at a picture book about animals.
- EmmaRegarde ce singe noir, Gabriel.Look at this black monkey, Gabriel.
- GabrielOh, il est très mignon !Oh, he is very cute!
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il est grand ?Is he big?
- GabrielNon, il est tout petit.No, he is very small.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries noir, singe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
