Parts of the Head in French: A Beginner's Guide

Learning a new language starts with some of the most basic vocabulary. One helpful category to start with is parts of the body, particularly the parts of the head. Knowing these words can be very useful, as they not only help in daily conversation but also aid in describing oneself or others. This tutorial will introduce you to the French words for different parts of the head, using simple English for easy understanding.

Overview of Head Parts in French

When learning about the parts of the head in French, it's good to start with the most commonly referred terms. Below, you will find the French terms along with their English translations and a brief explanation.

Les cheveux (Hair)

• Les cheveux refers to hair. In French, it is always plural. For example, you would say, "Elle a les cheveux blonds" (She has blonde hair).

Le front (Forehead)

• Le front means forehead. It's the part of your face above your eyebrows and below your hairline.

Les yeux (Eyes)

• Les yeux is the word for eyes, and like 'les cheveux', it is also always used in the plural form. For example, "Il a les yeux bleus" means "He has blue eyes."

Le nez (Nose)

• Le nez stands for nose, the part of your face that allows you to smell and breathe.

Les oreilles (Ears)

• Les oreilles means ears. This word is always used in plural form when referring to the two ears.

La bouche (Mouth)

• La bouche refers to the mouth, the opening through which you eat and speak.

Les lèvres (Lips)

• Les lèvres means lips. These are the soft edges of the flesh surrounding the mouth.

Le menton (Chin)

• Le menton refers to the chin, the bottom part of your face below your mouth.

Les joues (Cheeks)

• Les joues stands for cheeks, the fleshy parts of the face below the eyes and between the nose and the ears.

Table of Parts of the Head in French and English

Here’s a simple table summarizing the parts of the head in French, along with their English translations:

French	English
Les cheveux	Hair
Le front	Forehead
Les yeux	Eyes
Le nez	Nose
Les oreilles	Ears
La bouche	Mouth
Les lèvres	Lips
Le menton	Chin
Les joues	Cheeks

How to Say "Body" in French

The French word for "body" is le corps. Interestingly, this word shares its roots with the English word "corpse," which historically also meant a living body but has since evolved to refer only to a deceased one. In modern French, however, le corps refers strictly to a living body, while a dead body is termed un cadavre.

Pronunciation of "Le corps"

When pronouncing le corps, the final 'ps' is silent, so it is pronounced as [kɔr], sounding much like the English word "core" but with a distinctly French rhotic sound at the end, akin to a softly pronounced "arr."

Head in French

The French term for "head" is la tête. This word is crucial not only in daily language use but also in various expressions and idiomatic phrases. It can metaphorically represent the mind or the topmost part of something.

Face Parts in French

Describing facial features in French is essential for effective communication, whether you're expressing a compliment or explaining pain or discomfort in a specific area. Below is a table with key facial parts in French, complete with International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) spelling and a straightforward pronunciation guide for English speakers.

Table of Facial Parts in French

English	French	French Pronunciation
Head	La tête	La teht
Face	Le visage	Luh vee-sash
Ears	Les oreilles	Les oh-ray
Eyes	Les yeux	Les zheuh
Nose	Le nez	Luh neh
Chin	Le menton	Luh mahn-ton
Cheeks	Les joues	Lay zhu
Forehead	Le front	Luh frohn
Jaw	La mâchoire	La ma-shoo-ar
Eyebrows	Les sourcils	Lay soor-see
Eyelashes	Les cils	Lay see
Temple	Le temple	Luh tahm-pluh
Nostril	La narine	La na-reen
Lips	Les lèvres	Lay leh-vreh
Mouth	La bouche	La boosh
Teeth/Tooth	Les dents/Le dent	Le dohn/les dohn
Tongue	La langue	La lawng
Hair	Les cheveux	Lay shay-vuh
Neck	Le cou	Le coo