narines
In French, the English phrase "nostrils" is translated as narines.
The term refers to the two openings or holes in the nose that allow air to enter the body.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of narines is narine, which translates to "nostril".
Did you know?
- While English uses the word 'nostrils' for both humans and animals, French often switches to naseaux when referring to the nostrils of large mammals like horses.
- While narines is the standard term, French has a specific word for the bridge of the nose called l'arête nasale, treating the nose's structure like the ridge of a mountain.
- While English speakers might use 'nostrils' to describe a person's breathing, French writers often use the adjective dilatées (dilated) to describe nostrils that are wide with shock or anger. This specific word choice emphasizes the physical expansion of the nostrils to mirror internal emotion.
Examples in context
- Elle se pinça les narines.She pinched her nostrils.This sentence shows how to use the word narines when describing someone pinching them.Tatoeba #10322718 by Akenaseryan, translation #2879213 by Amastan
- Retenez votre respiration et pincez-vous les narines.Hold your breath and pinch your nostrils.This sentence provides a command using the word narines to instruct someone to pinch their nostrils.Tatoeba #10351324 by lbdx, translation #274363 by CM
- J'ai mal aux narines à force de me moucher si souvent ces derniers temps.My nostrils are sore from blowing my nose so often lately.This sentence demonstrates how to express that one's narines are sore from blowing one's nose.Tatoeba #10351327 by lbdx, translation #8637511 by Eccles17
- Les narines d'un cheval sont très développées.The nostrils of a horse are very developed.
- Elle respirait bruyamment par les narines.She was breathing loudly through her nostrils.
- Les narines jouent un rôle important dans la respiration.The nostrils play an important role in breathing.
- Les naseaux du taureau étaient dilatés.The nostrils of the bull were dilated.
Example conversation
Léa is helping Hugo with a cold.
- LéaTu as les narines très rouges, Hugo.Your nostrils are very red, Hugo.
- HugoOui, je me mouche tout le temps.Yes, I am blowing my nose all the time.
- LéaApplique un peu de crème sur tes narines.Apply a little bit of cream to your nostrils.
- HugoMerci, Léa, c'est gentil.Thank you, Léa, that's kind.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
