défrisant
The English phrase hair relaxer is défrisant in French.
défrisant refers to a chemical product used to straighten curly or kinky hair.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb défriser, where the prefix dé- indicates reversal and friser means to curl, making the literal meaning straightening.
Which one should you use?
While défrisant refers to the chemical process of straightening kinky hair, lissant is used for products that simply smooth or straighten hair without changing its structure. In a commercial context, you will often see the phrase crème défrisante used to describe the specific product.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun referring to the product, défrisant is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The word friser can be used metaphorically to describe someone's mental state, such as in the expression friser la folie, which means 'to verge on madness'.
- The term défriser shares its root with the word for curly kale, known as chou frisé, because the leaves have the same 'curled' appearance as hair.
- While défrisant is the technical term, French speakers often use the English term 'relaxer' in salons specifically catering to Afro-textured hair to avoid confusion with temporary straightening.
Examples in context
- Le défrisant aide à détendre les cheveux bouclés naturelsThe hair relaxer helps to loosen natural curls
- Le produit défrisant que j'utilise lisse mes cheveuxThe hair relaxer I use straightens my hair
- J'applique une crème défrisante pour obtenir des cheveux plus souplesI apply a hair relaxer cream to achieve softer hair
- J'achète toujours le défrisant de la marque X. Il rend mes cheveux plus souples.I always buy the hair relaxer from brand X. It makes my hair more manageable.
- Elle applique du défrisant sur ses cheveux.She applies hair relaxer to her hair.
- Ce défrisant est très efficace.This hair relaxer is very effective.
- Je dois acheter un nouveau défrisant.I need to buy a new hair relaxer.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are shopping at a beauty supply store.
- ChloéHugo, où se trouve le défrisant ?Hugo, where is the hair relaxer?
- HugoC'est dans le rayon des soins capillaires.It is in the hair care aisle.
- ChloéMerci, je vais prendre ce défrisant ici.Thanks, I will take this hair relaxer here.
- HugoD'accord, on peut y aller maintenant.Okay, we can go now.
