cheveux tressés
The English phrase "braided hair" is translated into French as cheveux tressés.
The phrase cheveux tressés is used to describe hair that has been woven together into one or more plaits.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cheveux (hair) and the past participle tressés (braided).
Which one should you use?
While cheveux tressés describes the state of the hair, une tresse is the noun used to refer to a single braid itself. To express the action of braiding, you would use the verb tresser.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec French, une natte is used as an equivalent to une tresse.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cheveux is masculine plural, the adjective tressé must also take the masculine plural form tressés.
Did you know?
- The word tresse is not only for hair but also for baking, such as a tresse au chocolat, which is a braided loaf of bread.
- In many French-speaking African cultures, the way cheveux tressés are styled can communicate specific social status or even tribal identity, a nuance not captured by the French word alone.
- While cheveux tressés describes hair, the verb tresser is also used to describe the craft of weaving straw for hats or wicker for baskets.
Examples in context
- Je me suis fait une tresse hier.I braided my hair yesterday.
- J'adore les coiffures tressées .I love braided hairstyles.
- Les cheveux tressés sont très populaires en été.Braided hair is very popular in the summer.
- J'ai vu une femme avec de magnifiques cheveux tressés .I saw a woman with beautiful braided hair.
- Elle a de beaux cheveux tressés.She has beautiful braided hair.
- Tes cheveux tressés sont très élégants.Your braided hair is very elegant.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking about a new hairstyle.
- LucasLéa, j'adore tes cheveux tressés aujourd'hui.Léa, I love your braided hair today.
- LéaMerci Lucas, c'est un nouveau style.Thank you Lucas, it is a new style.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est difficile à faire ?Is it difficult to do?
- LéaOui, cela prend beaucoup de temps.Yes, it takes a lot of time.
