mains
/mɛ̃/
The English phrase "hands" is translated into French as mains.
mains refers to the parts of the human body at the end of the arms. Beyond the literal meaning, several common French idioms use this word: Tendre la main means to stretch out the hand, which figuratively refers to offering assistance. Avoir les mains liées means to have one's hands tied, implying a person is unable to act. And Se laver les mains means to wash one's hands, which can figuratively mean distancing oneself from responsibility.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the word is les mains.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The word maintenant, meaning 'now', is derived from the phrase main tenant, which literally meant 'holding in the hand'.
- When offering a quick bit of help, a French speaker says donner un coup de main, which translates literally to giving a 'blow of the hand'.
- To express that someone is 'pitching in' to help, French speakers say mettre la main à la pâte, which literally means 'putting the hand in the dough'.
Examples in context
- Haut les mains !Hands up!This sentence is useful for the command "Hands up!"Tatoeba #831463 by sacredceltic, translation #325641 by Liface
- Lève les mains !Raise your hands.This sentence is useful for the command "Raise your hands.".Tatoeba #1846160 by sacredceltic, translation #1845491 by CK
- Levez les mains !Raise your hands!Tatoeba #1846162 by sacredceltic, translation #2132177 by AlanF_US
- Il a les mains douces et délicates.He has soft and delicate hands.
- Elle a les mains couvertes de peinture.Her hands are covered in paint.
- Il a tendu la main aux victimes de la catastrophe.He reached out to the victims of the disaster.
- Ils ne peuvent pas agir, ils ont les mains liées par la bureaucratie.They can't take action, they have their hands tied by bureaucracy.
- Il s'est lavé les mains de cette affaire délicate.He washed his hands of this delicate matter.
- 494 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are preparing to eat dinner.
- EmmaLave-toi les mains, Nathan.Wash your hands, Nathan.
- NathanOui, je m'en occupe.Yes, I'm on it.
- EmmaTes mains sont propres maintenant ?Are your hands clean now?
- NathanOui, elles sont toutes propres.Yes, they are all clean.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mains, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
