couleur de cheveux
The French phrase for hair color is couleur de cheveux.
couleur de cheveux refers to the natural or dyed color of the hair on a person's head. For more specific beauty terms, you might use mèches to refer to highlights or a descriptive phrase like brune aux yeux verts to describe a brown-haired person with green eyes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal construction meaning 'color of hair', where couleur means color and cheveux means hair.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word for hair, cheveux, is almost always used in its plural form.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the singular form couleur de cheveu. English speakers often mistakenly use the singular instead of the plural cheveux when translating this phrase.
Did you know?
- To describe a few bright streaks of hair, French speakers use the word mèches, which literally translates to 'wicks' as in those used for candles.
- While couleur de cheveux is the general term, French uses the specific word roux for red hair instead of the general word for red, rouge. Using rouge usually implies the hair has been dyed a bright, artificial red.
- In French, if you want to describe a person's hair color using an adjective, you often use the noun for the color instead, such as calling a person 'une blonde' or 'une brune'.
Examples in context
- J'aime ta nouvelle couleur de cheveux.I like your new hair color.This sentence is useful for expressing appreciation for someone's new couleur de cheveux.Tatoeba #1074500 by sacredceltic, translation #2377632 by CK
- Quelle est ta couleur de cheveux naturelle ?What's your natural hair color?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's natural couleur de cheveux.Tatoeba #3513850 by sacredceltic, translation #3513571 by Hybrid
- Ce n'est pas ma couleur de cheveux naturelle.This isn't my natural hair color.This sentence is useful for clarifying that a specific color is not one's natural couleur de cheveux.Tatoeba #11813871 by calypsow, translation #6947132 by CK
- Il a les cheveux bruns avec des mèches rouges.He has brown hair with red highlights.
- Ma grand-mère a les cheveux grisonnants.My grandmother has salt and pepper hair.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are at a hair salon.
- EmmaGabriel, tu aimes ma couleur de cheveux ?Gabriel, do you like my hair color?
- GabrielOui, elle est très naturelle.Yes, it is very natural.
- EmmaJe voulais quelque chose de plus clair.I wanted something lighter.
- GabrielCelle-ci te va vraiment bien.This one really suits you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
