bonnet de laine
A woolly hat in French is bonnet de laine.
The phrase refers to a warm hat made of wool used to protect the head from the cold. While the general French word for hat is chapeau, a bonnet specifically refers to a soft, brimless hat or a beanie, which is the style used for most woolly hats.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bonnet (hat or cap) and de laine (of wool).
Which one should you use?
You can also say un bonnet en laine to mean a woolly hat, as using the preposition en is a common way to describe the material something is made of.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you change the noun to bonnets while de laine remains unchanged.
Did you know?
- The word bonnet shares its ancient roots with the English word 'bundle', stemming from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to tie'.
- In Quebec and other parts of Canada, people often use the word tuque instead of bonnet to describe a woolly hat.
- While the English 'bonnet' often refers to a formal woman's sun hat, the French bonnet specifically describes a soft, brimless cap.
Examples in context
- J'aime mon bonnet de laine.I love my woolly hat.Tatoeba #1153878 by Wittydev, translation #1153860 by Wittydev
- Excusez-moi, où puis-je acheter un bonnet en laine ?Excuse me, where can I buy a woolly hat?
- Il porte un bonnet de laine bleu.He is wearing a blue woolly hat.
- N'oublie pas ton bonnet de laine pour sortir.Don't forget your woolly hat to go outside.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are getting ready to go for a walk in the snow.
- ManonIl fait très froid dehors aujourd'hui.It is very cold outside today.
- HugoTu as mis ton bonnet de laine ?Did you put on your woolly hat?
- ManonOui, je suis bien couverte.Yes, I am well covered.
- HugoParfait, alors on peut partir.Perfect, then we can leave.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonnet, de, laine, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
