poils
The English word bristles is translated into French as poils.
Did you know?
- The phrase avoir un poil dans la main is often exaggerated in French culture to imply such extreme laziness that a hair has actually grown in the palm of the hand.
- In French, the word poil is used in the expression au poil, which means 'perfect' or 'spot on'. If a plan is au poil, it is executing exactly as intended.
- The term poils is also the root for the word poilu, a nickname for the French soldiers in World War I due to their facial hair.
Examples in context
- Les soies de ce pinceau sont très résistantes.The bristles of this brush are very durable.
- Je dois changer la brosse à dents, les soies sont abîmées.I need to change the toothbrush, the bristles are damaged.
- Les poils de ce pinceau sont usés.The bristles of this brush are worn out.
- Cette brosse a des poils très doux.This brush has very soft bristles.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are in the bathroom looking at a new toothbrush.
- ChloéEst-ce que les poils de cette brosse sont doux ?Are the bristles of this brush soft?
- NathanNon, les poils semblent un peu trop durs.No, the bristles seem a bit too hard.
- ChloéTu as raison, Nathan.You are right, Nathan.
- NathanPrenons celle avec des poils plus souples.Let's take the one with softer bristles.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry poils, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
