peigne
/pɛɲ/masculine
The French word for comb is peigne.
peigne is a masculine noun referring to a toothed implement used for grooming hair. You can use the expression Donner un coup de peigne to mean tidying up or grooming oneself.
Meaning: toothed implement for grooming the hair (noun)
Which one should you use?
While peigne is the noun, the verb peigner is used specifically for the act of using a comb on hair. In contrast, coiffer is a broader term that refers to the general act of styling or doing hair, which may involve more than just combing.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pɛɲ/
When do people say it?
The idiom passer au peigne fin is used to describe searching or examining something very thoroughly, much like going over an area with a fine-toothed comb.
Did you know?
- The French word peigner can be used metaphorically in the expression peigner la girafe, which means to waste time on a useless or tedious task.
- In French music terminology, a peigne can refer to the reed of certain instruments, like the harmonica, which looks like a comb holding the reeds.
- While peigne refers to a hair comb, the word peigne is also used in textile manufacturing to describe a machine that straightens fibers before spinning.
Examples in context
- As-tu un peigne ?Do you have a comb?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a peigne.Tatoeba #6153249 by felix63, translation #5801963 by Eccles17
- Où est mon peigne ?Where is my comb?This sentence is useful for asking the location of a peigne.Tatoeba #3627998 by fleur74, translation #3795266 by popball
- Ton peigne est joli.Your comb is cute.This sentence is useful for describing a peigne as cute.Tatoeba #6071215 by christian63, translation #8814782 by shekitten
- Veuillez me passer un peigne, s'il vous plaît.Please pass me a comb, if you please.
- J'ai besoin d'un peigne pour me coiffer.I need a comb to style my hair.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé is looking for her hair accessories in the bathroom.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as vu mon peigne ?Have you seen my comb?
- ChloéJe crois qu'il est sur la table.I think it is on the table.
- HugoAh, voilà le peigne noir.Ah, there is the black comb.
- ChloéTu peux l'utiliser si tu veux.You can use it if you want.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comb” translations and entries peigne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
