poil incarné
The English phrase "ingrown hair" is translated into French as poil incarné.
The term refers to a hair that curls back or grows sideways into the skin.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, poil incarné means "incarnate hair." The adjective incarné translates to "incarnate" or "flesh-colored," implying that the hair has become embedded in the flesh.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between types of hair in French. The word poil specifically refers to body hair, such as hair on the arms or legs, whereas cheveu is used specifically for hair on the head.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "ingrown hairs," both the noun poil and the adjective incarné must take an s to become poils incarnés.
Did you know?
- The word poil is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'pill', as both originate from the same Proto-Indo-European root describing something thin or fine.
- The phrase un poil is often used as a colloquial measurement to mean 'a tiny bit' or 'a hair's breadth' when adjusting something.
- In French, the term poil is also used to describe the coat of an animal, meaning a dog or cat is described by its poil rather than its 'fur'.
Examples in context
- J'ai un poil qui pousse sous la peau et ça me fait mal.I have an ingrown hair and it hurts.
- J'utilise un produit pour prévenir les poils enkystés.I use a product to prevent ingrown hairs.
- J'ai un poil incarné sur la jambe.I have an ingrown hair on my leg.
- C'est douloureux, ce poil incarné.This ingrown hair is painful.
- Elle essaie d'enlever un poil incarné.She is trying to remove an ingrown hair.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking about skincare.
- LucasRegarde, j'ai un poil incarné ici.Look, I have an ingrown hair here.
- ChloéC'est très rouge, Lucas.It is very red, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que je dois le percer ?Should I pop it?
- ChloéNon, ne touche pas à ce poil incarné.No, do not touch that ingrown hair.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries incarné, poil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
