trousse de toilette
In French, a toiletry bag is called trousse de toilette.
The phrase refers to a small bag used for carrying personal hygiene and grooming items while traveling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of trousse (kit/pouch) and de toilette (of washing/grooming).
Which one should you use?
The term nécessaire de toilette is a common alternative used to describe the same item.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun trousse is feminine, so the indefinite article used is une in une trousse de toilette.
Did you know?
- The word toilette does not originally mean 'bathroom' or 'hygiene' in its root, but refers to a small cloth. It is a diminutive form of the word toile, which is the French word for 'cloth'.
- The term faire sa toilette means to wash and groom oneself, but it can also be used euphemistically to refer to using the bathroom.
- In French, the word toilette can refer to the entire process of getting ready, including dressing and hair styling, rather than just the act of washing.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais acheter une trousse de toilette, s'il vous plaît.I would like to buy a toiletry bag, please.
- Pouvez-vous me montrer différentes trousses de toilette?Can you show me different toiletry bags?
- Combien coûte cette pochette de toilette?How much does this toiletry pouch cost?
- J'ai oublié ma trousse de toilette.I forgot my toiletry bag.
- Ta trousse de toilette est dans la valise.Your toiletry bag is in the suitcase.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are packing their suitcases for a trip.
- LucasLéa, as-tu vu ma trousse de toilette ?Léa, have you seen my toiletry bag?
- LéaOui, elle est sur le lit, Lucas.Yes, it is on the bed, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, je vais la mettre dans ma valise.Thanks, I'm going to put it in my suitcase.
- LéaD'accord, nous sommes presque prêts !Okay, we are almost ready!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, toilette, trousse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
