vernis à ongles
masculine
In French, nail polish is vernis à ongles.
The term vernis à ongles refers to cosmetic lacquer. You can specify that the nail polish is colored by using the term vernis à ongles coloré. Note that the word laque can also refer to other beauty products like hairspray.
Meaning: cosmetic lacquer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of vernis (varnish) and à ongles (for nails).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term peinture à ongles is understood for nail polish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because vernis is a masculine noun, you use the partitive article du when referring to an unspecified amount of nail polish, such as in du vernis à ongles.
Did you know?
- The word vernis may be linked to the ancient city of Bereníkē, which is now known as Benghazi in Libya.
- In a professional salon setting, a French speaker might use the verb poser (to place or set) instead of mettre (to put) when applying vernis à ongles.
- French beauty culture often distinguishes between vernis (standard polish) and semi-permanent, a term used for gel polish that requires a UV lamp.
Examples in context
- Je cherche du rouge à lèvres qui s'accorde avec ce vernis à ongles.I'm looking for a lipstick to go with this nail polish.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use vernis à ongles in a sentence.Tatoeba #1982354 by nimfeo, translation #60466 by CK
- J'ai acheté une laque pour les ongles rouge vif.I bought a bright red nail polish.
- J'adore ce vernis à ongles nacré !I love this pearlescent nail polish!
- Je préfère les vernis à ongles mats.I prefer matte nail polishes.
- Est-ce que tu as des recommandations pour un bon vernis à ongles ?Do you have any recommendations for a good nail polish?
- Je suis à la recherche d'un vernis à ongles qui tient longtemps.I'm looking for a long-lasting nail polish.
- Quel vernis à ongles est-ce que tu préfères ?Which nail polish do you prefer?
- Elle a acheté un nouveau vernis à ongles rose.She bought a new pink nail polish.
Example conversation
Manon is getting ready and Nathan notices her new manicure.
- NathanTon vernis à ongles est très joli, Manon.Your nail polish is very pretty, Manon.
- ManonMerci, Nathan ! C'est une nouvelle couleur.Thanks, Nathan! It's a new color.
- NathanEst-ce que c'est un vernis à ongles brillant ?Is it a shiny nail polish?
- ManonOui, il brille beaucoup sous la lumière.Yes, it shines a lot in the light.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nail polish” translations and entries vernis à ongles, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vernis, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
