os
/ɔs/
The English phrase "bones" is translated into French as os.
os refers to the hard parts of the skeleton that support the body. While os is the standard term for bones, you may encounter the informal term Les guiboles used specifically to describe a person's legs.
How does it change in a sentence?
os is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔs/
Did you know?
- While 'os' refers to the skeleton, the French word for 'bone' in a much more metaphorical or 'hard' sense, such as an obstacle, is often 'un os' used in the phrase 'rencontrer un os', meaning to hit a snag or a problem.
- The French phrase jeter un os literally means 'to throw a bone', but it is used figuratively to describe giving someone a small, insignificant concession to keep them quiet or satisfied.
- While os is the standard word, French uses the specific term ossature to describe the skeletal frame of not only a body but also the structural beams of a building.
Examples in context
- Tu l'as dans l'os.You have it in your bones.This sentence shows an idiomatic way to use os meaning 'in your bones'.Tatoeba #2380261 by gillux, translation #13816589 by tieguy
- Il n'y a pas d'os cassés.There are no broken bones.This sentence uses os to describe broken bones.Tatoeba #8606257 by Aiji, translation #3435465 by AlanF_US
- Ne jette pas d'os au chien !Don't throw bones to the dog!This sentence shows how to use os when referring to bones for an animal.Tatoeba #1969983 by sacredceltic, translation #1922084 by davearms
- J'ai mal aux os.I have bone pain.
- Veillez à retirer toutes les arêtes du poisson.Be sure to remove all of the fishbones.
- J'ai un chat qui grignote les os.I have a cat that chews on bones.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are looking at an X-ray in a doctor's office.
- LucasEst-ce que tu vois les os sur la radio ?Can you see the bones on the X-ray?
- EmmaOui, je vois bien les os de la main.Yes, I can see the bones of the hand clearly.
- LucasIl semble y avoir un problème avec un os.There seems to be a problem with a bone.
- EmmaC'est peut-être juste une petite fissure.It might just be a small crack.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry os, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
