moustache
/mus.taʃ/feminine
The English word moustache is moustache in French. Wiktionary also lists bacchante.
Meaning: hair on upper lip (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| moustache | /mus.taʃ/ | feminine |
| bacchante | /ba.kɑ̃t/ | feminine |
The word refers to the hair on the upper lip. To say that someone is growing a moustache, French speakers use the reflexive expression se laisser pousser la moustache.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, French speakers use the term moustache in a way that is similar to how it is used in France.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun moustache is feminine, meaning it is used with the feminine article la. The plural form of the word is moustaches.
How do you pronounce it?
/mus.taʃ/
Did you know?
- In French, the word moustache is used to describe the whiskers of cats and dogs, which English speakers call 'whiskers'.
- In some traditional French idioms, the moustache is used as a metonym for the person wearing it, often to denote a man of importance or a 'big shot'.
- The French word moustache originates from the Ancient Greek word mústax, which refers to the hair on the upper lip.
Examples in context
- Il a rasé sa moustache.He shaved his moustache.This sentence shows how to say someone shaved their moustache.Tatoeba #132014 by Micsmithel, translation #4728671 by paper1n0
- Yanni avait des moustaches.Yanni had a moustache.This sentence describes someone who had moustaches.Tatoeba #12481967 by always, translation #10108200 by Amastan
- Tom s'est laissé pousser la moustache.Tom grew a moustache.This sentence uses the expression to say someone grew their moustache.Tatoeba #5405002 by mekyu, translation #5396236 by Yakuwari
- Il porte une belle moustache.He has a nice moustache.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are discussing a new look.
- LucasRegarde, j'ai décidé de garder ma moustache.Look, I decided to keep my moustache.
- LéaC'est joli, ta moustache te va bien.It's nice, the moustache suits you well.
- LucasMerci Léa, je trouve que ça change tout.Thanks Léa, I think it changes everything.
- LéaOui, ça te donne un style différent.Yes, it gives you a different style.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moustache” translations and entries moustache, bacchante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moustache, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
