costumes
The English word 'suits' is translated into French as costumes.
In French, costumes refers to sets of matching clothes consisting of a jacket and trousers or a skirt.
Which one should you use?
While costumes can mean 'suits', for a modern business suit, a French speaker is more likely to use the word tailleur for a woman's suit (jacket and skirt/trousers) or costume for a man's suit. You can use tenue professionnelle to refer to 'suits' or formal attire worn for a professional setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is costume and the plural form of the word is costumes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use costumes to mean 'suits' in a business context, but in French, costumes usually refers to formal business suits or theatrical costumes, whereas 'costumes' in English often implies something more theatrical or festive.
Did you know?
- In very formal French contexts, the word habit can be used to describe a suit, specifically referring to the traditional evening dress coat worn with a top hat.
- French uses the word tenue for 'outfit' or 'attire', which comes from the verb tenir, meaning 'to hold'. It implies how a person 'holds' themselves in their clothes.
- The French word tailleur for a woman's suit is derived from the word for 'tailor', emphasizing the precision of the cut.
Examples in context
- Les deux petites filles portent des costumes blancs.Both girls wear white suits.This sentence demonstrates the use of costumes to describe the white suits worn by girls.Tatoeba #128439 by Aiji, translation #267219 by CK
- Il porte un magnifique costume bleu marine.He is wearing a magnificent navy blue suit.
- Le directeur de la société était vêtu d'un élégant ensemble trois pièces.The company's director was dressed in an elegant three-piece suit.
- Pour la soirée, il a décidé de mettre son nouvel ensemble pantalon-veste.For the evening, he decided to wear his new trouser-jacket ensemble.
- Il se rend toujours au bureau en complet pour rester professionnel.He always goes to the office in a suit to maintain a professional look.
- Les hommes élégants optent souvent pour un costume croisé lors des occasions spéciales.Elegant men often choose a double-breasted suit for special occasions.
- Les invités étaient vêtus d'ensembles complets pour la cérémonie de remise des prix.The guests were dressed in suits for the awards ceremony.
- Ces costumes sont très élégants.These suits are very elegant.
- Elle a acheté deux nouveaux costumes.She bought two new suits.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are at a clothing store.
- LucasEst-ce que tu aimes ces costumes ?Do you like these suits?
- LéaOui, ils sont magnifiques, Lucas.Yes, they are magnificent, Lucas.
- LucasJe vais en essayer un.I am going to try one on.
- LéaD'accord, je t'attends ici.Okay, I will wait for you here.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
