chignon
/ʃi.ɲɔ̃/
The English word 'bun' translates to French as chignon.
In English, 'bun' can refer to both a hairstyle and a small bread roll. However, in French, these two meanings are kept strictly separate. If you are talking about a small bread roll, you should use the phrase petit pain.
Meaning: a small bread roll, often sweetened or spiced (noun)
Which one should you use?
The form chignon refers specifically to a hair bun. It is not used to describe food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec French, a bun is often referred to as a pain à hamburger or simply a hamburger.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ʃi.ɲɔ̃/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use chignon to mean a bread roll. In French, chignon only refers to a hairstyle. Use petit pain for the food item instead.
Did you know?
- The French word chignon is a loanword in English. While English uses 'bun' for both food and hair, the English word 'chignon' specifically refers to the sophisticated hairstyle borrowed from French.
- The evolution of chignon from 'chain' to 'nape' might be based on the idea of a 'chain of bones' in the neck.
Examples in context
- Elle coiffe ses cheveux en chignon.She wears her hair in a bun.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use chignon when talking about hair.Tatoeba #8938875 by lbdx, translation #316183 by CK
- Je voudrais un pain au lait, s'il vous plaît.I would like a milk bun, please.
- Tu manges un petit pain avec ton déjeuner?Are you eating a bun with your lunch?
- J'ai acheté une délicieuse brioche à la boulangerie.I bought a delicious bun at the bakery.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are at a bakery.
- ManonRegarde ces chignons à la crème !Look at these cream buns!
- NathanOui, je vais en prendre un.Yes, I am going to take one.
- ManonJe préfère le chignon au chocolat.I prefer the chocolate bun.
- NathanC'est un bon choix, Manon.That is a good choice, Manon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chignon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chignon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
