vanity
The English phrase "vanity case" is translated into French as vanity.
The term refers to a portable case for cosmetics.
Meaning: a portable case for cosmetics (noun)
Which one should you use?
Un étui à cosmétiques translates to cosmetic case, whereas trousse de toilette is a more common, everyday way to refer to a small portable cosmetic case. Un nécessaire de voyage refers specifically to a travel vanity case.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the French word vanité to mean a cosmetic case, as vanité refers to the abstract concept of vanity or a still-life painting.
Did you know?
- While vanity is used for the case, the word vanité describes a specific genre of 17th-century Dutch and French paintings featuring skulls and rotting fruit to remind viewers of mortality.
- In French, trousse de toilette is the most common term, and the word trousse originally referred to a bundle of clothes or a kit used by surgeons.
- Unlike the English 'vanity case', the French loanword vanity is almost always used as a masculine noun, un vanity, despite the abstract concept la vanité being feminine.
Examples in context
- Lors de notre prochain voyage d'affaires, n'oublie pas de prendre ta trousse de toilette. Reste professionnel!During our next business trip, don't forget to pack your vanity case. Stay professional!
- Je prépare ma valise pour les vacances. N'oublie pas de prendre ton étui à cosmétiques pour tes produits de beauté.I'm packing my suitcase for the vacation. Don't forget to take your cosmetic case for your beauty products.
- Elle a acheté une nouvelle vanity.She bought a new vanity case.
- Où est ma vanity ?Where is my vanity case?
- Cette vanity est très élégante.This vanity case is very elegant.
Example conversation
Emma is packing her bags for a trip.
- LucasEst-ce que tu as ta vanity, Emma ?Do you have your vanity case, Emma?
- EmmaNon, je ne la trouve plus.No, I can't find it anymore.
- LucasElle est sur la table du salon.It is on the living room table.
- EmmaAh oui, merci beaucoup Lucas !Ah yes, thank you very much Lucas!
