brosse
/bʁɔs/feminine
The English word brush is translated into French as brosse.
brosse is a noun referring to a brush implement. To specify the type of brush, you can use the construction brosse à dents for a toothbrush. You may also encounter the phrase coup de brosse to mean a brush stroke.
Meaning: implement (noun)
Which one should you use?
While brosse is the noun used for the implement itself, brosser is the verb used to describe the action of brushing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun brosse is feminine, so you use the indefinite article une when referring to a brush (une brosse). The related reflexive verb se brosser means to brush oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
/bʁɔs/
Did you know?
- In French slang, the phrase se brosser can be used to tell someone they are getting nothing or that they can forget about a request. It is a blunt way of saying 'forget it' or 'no chance'.
- The expression brosser dans le sens du poil literally means to brush in the direction of the hair. It is used idiomatically to mean flattering someone or telling them exactly what they want to hear.
- While brosse is the general term, the French use a completely different word, pinceau, for an artist's paint brush. Calling a paint brush a brosse would sound like you are talking about a scrubbing tool.
Examples in context
- Où est ma brosse ?Where's my brush?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of your brosse.Tatoeba #7849164 by Aiji, translation #2917079 by Hybrid
- Je me brosse les dents.I brush my teeth.This sentence shows the use of the verb form of brosse for personal hygiene.Tatoeba #526273 by Micsmithel, translation #526275 by mutskt
- Je lui brosse les dents.I brush her teeth.This sentence demonstrates how to use the verb for an action performed on someone else.Tatoeba #3271238 by nimfeo, translation #3271237 by Luornu
- Je dois acheter une brosse à cheveux.I need to buy a hairbrush.
- Laisse-moi utiliser ta brosse !Let me use your hairbrush!
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are in the bathroom getting ready.
- ManonTu as vu ma brosse à cheveux ?Have you seen my hairbrush?
- GabrielElle est sur le lavabo.It is on the sink.
- ManonMerci, cette brosse est très douce.Thanks, this brush is very soft.
- GabrielDe rien, Manon.You're welcome, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brush” translations and entries brosse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
