ongles
The English phrase "nails" is translated into French as ongles.
The word ongles refers to the hard parts located at the ends of the fingers and toes.
Which one should you use?
Use clous for metal nails used in carpentry, not for fingernails.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is un ongle.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word clous to refer to fingernails, but clous refers only to hardware nails.
Did you know?
- In French, the expression se ronger les ongles describes both the literal act of biting nails and the figurative state of being extremely anxious.
- The word ongle is a linguistic relative of the English word 'nail', but both evolved from the Latin 'unguis'.
- The phrase se ronger les ongles means 'to bite one's nails', but literally translates to 'to gnaw one's nails' like an animal.
Examples in context
- Ses ongles sont rouges.Her nails are red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of someone's ongles.Tatoeba #754102 by Julien_PDC, translation #754104 by CM
- Elle fixait ses ongles.She stared at her nails.This sentence is useful for describing the action of staring at one's ongles.Tatoeba #4765576 by sacredceltic, translation #2960841 by Hybrid
- Ne ronge pas tes ongles.Don't bite your nails.This sentence is useful for giving a command regarding biting one's ongles.Tatoeba #12660 by sak_sm, translation #39753 by CK
- Elle a peint ses ongles.She painted her nails
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are talking about a manicure.
- ChloéRegarde mes ongles, Gabriel !Look at my nails, Gabriel!
- GabrielC'est une très belle couleur.It is a very beautiful color.
- ChloéMerci, j'ai coupé mes ongles hier.Thanks, I cut my nails yesterday.
- GabrielC'est très propre et élégant.It is very clean and elegant.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
