boutons de manchette
The English phrase 'cufflinks' is translated into French as boutons de manchette.
The term refers to the small pieces of jewelry used to secure the cuffs of a dress shirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'buttons of the cuff', where boutons means buttons and manchette means cuff.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form bouton de manchette is used when referring to a single cufflink. When referring to a pair of cufflinks, you may see the phrase boutons de manchettes, where manchette is pluralized to manchettes.
Did you know?
- In French, manchette is also the name of a specific type of wrestling hold where an opponent's arm is gripped.
- If you are reading a French newspaper, the 'manchette' is not a piece of jewelry or a sleeve, but the prominent headline at the top of the front page.
- The word bouton is used not only for fasteners but also to describe a 'pimple' on the skin or a 'bud' on a plant.
Examples in context
- Je porte des boutons de manchette avec mon costume aujourd'hui.I am wearing cufflinks with my suit today.
- Regarde mes nouveaux boutons de manchette!Look at my new cufflinks!
- Il a acheté de nouveaux boutons de manchette.He bought new cufflinks.
- Où sont mes boutons de manchette en argent ?Where are my silver cufflinks?
- Ces boutons de manchette sont très élégants.These cufflinks are very elegant.
Example conversation
Lucas is getting ready for a formal event.
- LucasChloé, as-tu vu mes boutons de manchette ?Chloé, have you seen my cufflinks?
- ChloéOui, ils sont sur la table.Yes, they are on the table.
- LucasMerci, je ne les trouvais plus.Thanks, I couldn't find them anymore.
- ChloéTu es très chic avec ça !You look very chic with those!
