cheveux bouclés
The French phrase for curly hair is cheveux bouclés.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cheveux (hair) and bouclés (curly/looped).
Which one should you use?
While cheveux bouclés refers to defined curls, cheveux frisés is often used to describe much tighter, more textured or frizzy curls. Additionally, Les cheveux frisottants refers to hair that is curly, but perhaps a bit unruly or prone to frizz.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cheveux is a masculine plural noun, the adjective bouclés must also be in the masculine plural form. When describing a person's hair, you typically use the definite article les (for example, Il a les cheveux bouclés) rather than the indefinite article or a possessive adjective alone.
Did you know?
- The word bouclés comes from boucle, which means both a curl of hair and a belt buckle.
- While English uses 'hair' as an uncountable mass noun, cheveux is almost always plural because it refers to the individual strands on a head.
- The term frisottis is used in French to describe the tiny, unruly 'flyaway' hairs that emerge from a person's curls or waves.
Examples in context
- Il a les cheveux bouclés.He has curly hair.This sentence demonstrates how to say someone has curly hair using cheveux bouclés.Tatoeba #3357982 by rabicat22, translation #2940765 by Hakaku
- Elle a de longs cheveux bouclés.She has long, curly hair.This sentence shows how to describe someone with long, curly hair using cheveux bouclés.Tatoeba #3625590 by sacredceltic, translation #2505926 by Hybrid
- La jeune femme aux cheveux bouclés était élégante et charmante.The young woman with curly hair was elegant and charming.
- Sa coiffure sophistiquée mettait en valeur ses cheveux frisés.Her sophisticated hairstyle highlighted her curly hair.
- Elle avait les cheveux bouclés à faire pâlir les anges, tout le monde était émerveillé.She had curly hair that made angels pale, everyone was amazed.
- J'aime beaucoup tes cheveux bouclés.I really like your curly hair.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new hairstyle at a cafe.
- GabrielTes cheveux bouclés sont magnifiques aujourd'hui !Your curly hair looks magnificent today!
- LéaMerci, Gabriel, j'ai utilisé un nouveau produit.Thank you, Gabriel, I used a new product.
- GabrielÇa se voit, le résultat est superbe.It shows, the result is superb.
- LéaC'est gentil de ta part.That is kind of you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
