cheveux blancs
The English phrase "gray hair" is translated into French as cheveux blancs.
In French, when describing hair that has lost its original color due to aging, speakers typically refer to it as white hair. While you might expect the word for gray, the most common way to describe this phenomenon is with the term cheveux blancs.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers typically use the word "gray," French speakers more commonly use cheveux blancs (white hair) to describe hair that has lost its pigment. The term cheveux gris is grammatically correct and can be used to mean gray hair, but it is less common in everyday French than cheveux blancs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase cheveux blancs is plural. If you are referring to a single strand of gray hair, you should use the singular form un cheveu blanc.
Did you know?
- The adjective blanc (white) is also used to describe a person who is experiencing a sudden, extreme shock or terror, as in être blanc comme un linge.
- The word cheveu comes from the Latin capillus, which originally referred specifically to the fine hairs of the head as opposed to body hair.
- In French, a person with many cheveux blancs might be described as having le poivre et le sel (pepper and salt) if the hair is a mix of dark and white.
Examples in context
- Elle a des cheveux grisShe has gray hair
- Il arbore fièrement ses cheveux argentésHe proudly sports his silver hair
- Certains préfèrent teindre leurs cheveux blancsSome prefer to dye their gray hair
- Il a de beaux cheveux poivre et selHe has beautiful salt and pepper hair
- Elle a les cheveux grisonnantsHer hair is turning gray
- Avec l'âge, les cheveux deviennent progressivement gris, témoignant de notre expérience et de notre sagesse.With age, hair gradually turns gray, reflecting our experience and wisdom.
- J'ai quelques cheveux blancs.I have some gray hair.
- Il commence à avoir des cheveux blancs.He is starting to have gray hair.
- Elle cache ses cheveux blancs avec une teinture.She hides her gray hair with dye.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking at an old family photo.
- LéaRegarde, mon grand-père avait des cheveux blancs.Look, my grandfather had gray hair.
- HugoOui, il avait l'air très élégant.Yes, he looked very elegant.
- LéaJe pense que j'aurai des cheveux blancs aussi.I think I will have gray hair too.
- HugoC'est tout à fait normal avec l'âge.That is completely normal with age.
