Which one should you use?
Use cheveux specifically for the hair on a person's head. If you are referring to hair on other parts of the body, such as arms or legs or to animal fur, use the word poil instead. The singular form cheveu is used only when referring to a single, individual strand of hair.
How does it change in a sentence?
When discussing the hair on a person's head, use the plural form cheveux along with a definite article (les) or a possessive adjective (ses). Avoid using a partitive article for the hair on a head. The singular form cheveu refers specifically to one single strand.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ʃə.vø/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the singular cheveu to refer to the entire mass of hair on a person's head. Instead, use the plural cheveux.
Did you know?
- The phrase se couper les cheveux en quatre literally means 'to cut one's hair into four', but it is used to describe someone who is being overly pedantic or splitting hairs.
- French has the expression avoir un poil dans la main, which means 'to have a hair in the hand', to describe someone who is extremely lazy.
- The word poil, used for body hair, is also used in the phrase à poil to mean 'naked'.
Examples in context
- Il perd ses cheveux.He is losing his hair.This example shows how to use cheveux to describe losing hair.Tatoeba #8434974 by felix63, translation #8434970 by CH
- Il a les cheveux gras.He has greasy hair.This example uses cheveux to describe the texture of someone's hair.Tatoeba #1820509 by sacredceltic, translation #1818261 by Spamster
- J'ai de beaux cheveux.I have nice hair.This example uses cheveux to describe the quality of someone's hair.Tatoeba #5552204 by sacredceltic, translation #3001002 by Hybrid
- Elle possède de beaux cheveux bruns.She has beautiful brown hair.
- Il a des poils doux sur les bras.He has soft hair on his arms.
- J'ai les cheveux courts.I have short hair.
- J'ai de longs cheveux blonds.I have long blond hair.
- Elle a les cheveux frisés et roux.She has curly and red hair.
- 640 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are talking about a new haircut.
- GabrielTu as coupé tes cheveux !You cut your hair!
- EmmaOui, je voulais changer de tête.Yes, I wanted a change of look.
- GabrielC'est joli, tes cheveux sont brillants.It's pretty, your hair is shiny.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Gabriel !Thank you very much, Gabriel!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cheveux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
