queue-de-cheval
/kø.də.ʃ(ə).val/feminine
The French word for ponytail is queue-de-cheval.
Meaning: hairstyle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The compound noun queue-de-cheval literally translates to 'tail-of-horse'.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a feminine noun, so you use the indefinite article une when saying 'a ponytail' (une queue-de-cheval).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kø.də.ʃ(ə).val/. It consists of 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word queue can be used vulgarly in French to refer to a certain part of the male anatomy, so context is important when shortening queue-de-cheval.
- If you want a more modern or casual term for a hair tie used to make a ponytail, you might use the word 'chouchou' for a scrunchie.
- In French, if you are waiting in a line, you are dans la queue, which literally means you are 'inside the tail'.
Examples in context
- J'ai attaché mes cheveux en queue de chevalI tied my hair in a ponytail
- Elle a une belle queue de chevalShe has a beautiful ponytail
- Je me fais une couetteI'm doing a ponytail
- Elle porte une queue-de-cheval haute.She is wearing a high ponytail.
- Je préfère ma queue-de-cheval quand je fais du sport.I prefer my ponytail when I do sports.
- Ta queue-de-cheval est très jolie aujourd'hui.Your ponytail is very pretty today.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are at a hair salon.
- NathanEst-ce que tu veux une queue-de-cheval, Chloé ?Do you want a ponytail, Chloé?
- ChloéNon, je préfère laisser mes cheveux lâchés.No, I prefer to leave my hair down.
- NathanD'accord, mais une queue-de-cheval te va bien aussi.Okay, but a ponytail looks good on you too.
- ChloéMerci Nathan, c'est gentil.Thanks Nathan, that's kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ponytail” translations and entries queue-de-cheval, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
