dents pointues
The English phrase "sharp teeth" translates to French as dents pointues.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dents (teeth) and pointues (sharp/pointed).
Which one should you use?
While pointues implies a pointed or sharp tip, the term tranchantes would imply teeth that are capable of cutting or slicing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pointues is feminine plural to agree with the feminine plural noun dents.
Did you know?
- The expression avoir une dent contre quelqu'un means to hold a grudge against someone, literally translating to 'having a tooth against someone'.
- While pointues describes the shape, the expression avoir les dents longues is commonly used as a metaphor for being overly ambitious or greedy.
- In French, the word dents is used not only for biological teeth but also to describe the jagged edges of a saw or the teeth of a gear, known as dents d'engrenage.
Examples in context
- Cet imbécile a les dents pointues.This imbecile has sharp teeth.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe someone with dents pointues.Tatoeba #8976799 by Aiji, translation #2367329 by AlanF_US
- Les crocodiles ont des dents acérées qui leur permettent de saisir fermement leurs proies.Crocodiles have sharp teeth that allow them to firmly grasp their prey.
- Attention à son chien, il a les dents affûtées !Watch out for his dog, it has sharp teeth!
- Le requin a de grandes dents pointues.The shark has large sharp teeth.
- Fais attention, ce petit chien a des dents pointues.Be careful, this little dog has sharp teeth.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are looking at a picture in a nature book.
- GabrielRegarde ce crocodile, il a des dents pointues.Look at this crocodile, it has sharp teeth.
- LéaIl a vraiment l'air effrayant.It really looks scary.
- GabrielOui, ses dents pointues sont impressionnantes.Yes, its sharp teeth are impressive.
- LéaJe préfère les animaux plus calmes.I prefer calmer animals.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
