cheveux roux
The English phrase "red hair" is translated into French as cheveux roux.
cheveux roux refers specifically to hair that is naturally reddish-orange in color.
Which one should you use?
Use cheveux roux for natural red hair, but use cheveux rouges if the hair has been dyed a bright, artificial red. Additionally, the expression La crinière rousse literally means "red mane".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase to describe the hair itself, you use cheveux roux.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying cheveux rouges when describing natural red hair. In French, rouge refers to the color red, whereas roux is the specific term for the reddish-orange hair color.
Did you know?
- The word roux finds an unexpected relative in the English word 'russet', which refers to a brownish-red color or a specific type of coarse fabric.
- While roux describes hair, the colloquial term rouquin is often used to tease or nickname a redhead, similar to the English 'ginger'.
- In French, the word roux is used for both red hair and red fur on animals, such as the renard roux or red fox.
Examples in context
- J'ai les cheveux roux.I have red hair.This sentence is useful for saying that you have the form cheveux roux.Tatoeba #13390209 by lbdx, translation #5850472 by CK
- Il a les cheveux roux.He has red hair.This sentence is useful for saying that he has the form cheveux roux.Tatoeba #13457376 by sacredceltic, translation #8477535 by CH
- La sœur de Tom a les cheveux roux.Tom's sister has red hair.This sentence is useful for saying that Tom's sister has the form cheveux roux.Tatoeba #7861889 by felix63, translation #13764524 by rul
- Mon ami a les cheveux roux et il a hérité de cette couleur de cheveux de sa grand-mère.My friend has red hair, and he inherited this hair color from his grandmother.
- Cette femme rousse est très élégante avec ses cheveux bouclés.This redhead woman is very elegant with her curly hair.
- Sa crinière rousse est si lumineuse qu'elle attire tous les regards.Her red mane is so vibrant that it catches everyone's attention.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are looking at a photo of a person.
- LucasRegarde cette photo, elle a les cheveux roux.Look at this photo, she has red hair.
- EmmaOui, et ses yeux sont très beaux.Yes, and her eyes are very beautiful.
- LucasC'est une couleur rare.It is a rare color.
- EmmaC'est vrai, Lucas.That's true, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries roux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
