chapeau melon
/ʃa.po m(ə).lɔ̃/masculine
The English phrase "bowler hat" is chapeau melon in French.
A chapeau melon is a hard, round, black felt hat.
Meaning: hard round black felt hat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a combination of chapeau (hat) and melon (cantaloupe/melon), which refers to the rounded shape of the hat.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a compound noun, chapeau melon functions as a single unit. When forming the plural, the word melon does not take an s. For example, you would say des chapeaux melon.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃa.po m(ə).lɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The word chapeau is also used as an interjection to express admiration or respect. It is a shortened version of the phrase chapeau bas, which means 'hats off'.
- In French culture, the chapeau melon is often associated with the 'Inspector' archetype in old cinema and literature, mirroring the British 'city' gentleman image.
Examples in context
- Devine ce qu'ils ont eu ! Un chapeau melon pour lui et des bottes de cuir pour elle !Guess what they got! A bowler hat for him and leather boots for her!This sentence is useful for seeing chapeau melon used to describe items someone has received.Tatoeba #693697 by U2FS, translation #693506 by U2FS
- Il y a un chapeau melon sur la table.There is a bowler hat on the table.This sentence shows how to state the location of a chapeau melon.Tatoeba #379047 by MUIRIEL, translation #379049 by MUIRIEL
- Il porte un chapeau melon noir.He is wearing a black bowler hat.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are looking at old photos in an album.
- HugoRegarde cet homme avec son chapeau melon.Look at this man with his bowler hat.
- EmmaOh, il a l'air très élégant.Oh, he looks very elegant.
- HugoC'est mon grand-père sur la photo.That is my grandfather in the photo.
- EmmaIl était vraiment très distingué.He was truly very distinguished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bowler hat” translations and entries chapeau melon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chapeau, melon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
