dreadlocks
The English phrase 'dreads' can be translated into French as dreadlocks.
The term refers to a hairstyle where the hair is grown in long, rope-like strands. When describing a person who wears this hairstyle, you can say quelqu'un avec des dreadlocks.
Which one should you use?
In addition to the standard term, you may encounter informal variations. les locks and les rastas are both used to refer to dreads in casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a loanword from English, dreadlocks is treated as a feminine plural noun in French.
Did you know?
- In many Francophone African urban centers, using the term locks is a political statement of cultural identity and a way to resist Western beauty standards.
- In France, the term rastas can describe a person's overall lifestyle or aesthetic, meaning you can call someone un rasta even if they do not actually have dreadlocks.
- The term rastas is often used in France to describe anything related to Rastafarianism, even if the person does not have dreadlocks. You might hear it used in phrases like la musique rasta to refer to Reggae music.
Examples in context
- Elle a de jolies dreadlocks.She has lovely dreadlocks.
- Il a des dreadlocks.He has dreadlocks.
- Elle porte des dreadlocks blondes.She wears blonde dreadlocks.
- Tes dreadlocks sont magnifiques.Your dreadlocks are magnificent.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new person in their social circle.
- ManonTu as vu le nouveau voisin ?Have you seen the new neighbor?
- LucasNon, pourquoi ?No, why?
- ManonIl a de superbes dreadlocks.He has superb dreadlocks.
- LucasAh, j'aimerais bien le voir.Ah, I would love to see him.
