{"id":88,"date":"2026-09-30T17:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leweb2ks.dev\/vitrine-vocadial\/en\/resources\/clothes-in-french\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T17:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:07:10","slug":"clothes-in-french","status":"publish","type":"vd_ressource","link":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/resources\/clothes-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"Clothes in French: vocabulary, porter and a classroom routine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clothes vocabulary in French<\/h2>\n\n

In the pronunciation column, capitals mark the syllable to lean on slightly (French stress is light and falls on the last syllable). (n) marks a nasal vowel: air goes through the nose and the n itself is not pronounced. “zh” is the s in “measure”, “uh” is the short vowel in “the”, and “\u00fc” is “ee” said with rounded lips.<\/p>\n\n

Everyday clothes<\/h3>\n\n
French<\/th>English<\/th>Say it like<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
les v\u00eatements (m.)<\/td>clothes<\/td>vet-MAH(N)<\/td><\/tr>
le tee-shirt<\/td>T-shirt<\/td>tee-SHURT<\/td><\/tr>
la chemise<\/td>shirt<\/td>shuh-MEEZ<\/td><\/tr>
le chemisier<\/td>blouse<\/td>shuh-mee-ZYAY<\/td><\/tr>
le pull<\/td>jumper<\/td>p\u00fcl<\/td><\/tr>
le gilet<\/td>cardigan<\/td>zhee-LEH<\/td><\/tr>
le sweat (\u00e0 capuche)<\/td>sweatshirt (hoodie)<\/td>sweet (a ka-P\u00dcSH)<\/td><\/tr>
le pantalon<\/td>trousers<\/td>pah(n)-ta-LO(N)<\/td><\/tr>
le jean<\/td>jeans<\/td>djeen<\/td><\/tr>
le short<\/td>shorts<\/td>short<\/td><\/tr>
la jupe<\/td>skirt<\/td>zh\u00fcp<\/td><\/tr>
la robe<\/td>dress<\/td>rob<\/td><\/tr>
la veste<\/td>jacket, blazer<\/td>vest<\/td><\/tr>
le manteau<\/td>coat<\/td>mah(n)-TOH<\/td><\/tr>
le surv\u00eatement<\/td>tracksuit<\/td>s\u00fcr-vet-MAH(N)<\/td><\/tr>
l’uniforme scolaire (m.)<\/td>school uniform<\/td>l\u00fc-nee-form sko-LAIR<\/td><\/tr>
la cravate<\/td>tie<\/td>kra-VAT<\/td><\/tr>
le pyjama<\/td>pyjamas<\/td>pee-zha-MA<\/td><\/tr>
le maillot de bain<\/td>swimsuit, trunks<\/td>ma-yoh duh BA(N)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Shoes and accessories<\/h3>\n\n
French<\/th>English<\/th>Say it like<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
les chaussures (f.)<\/td>shoes<\/td>shoh-S\u00dcR<\/td><\/tr>
les baskets (f.)<\/td>trainers<\/td>bass-KET<\/td><\/tr>
les bottes (f.)<\/td>boots<\/td>bot<\/td><\/tr>
les sandales (f.)<\/td>sandals<\/td>sah(n)-DAL<\/td><\/tr>
les chaussettes (f.)<\/td>socks<\/td>shoh-SET<\/td><\/tr>
la casquette<\/td>cap<\/td>kass-KET<\/td><\/tr>
le bonnet<\/td>woolly hat<\/td>bo-NEH<\/td><\/tr>
le chapeau<\/td>hat (with a brim)<\/td>sha-POH<\/td><\/tr>
l’\u00e9charpe (f.)<\/td>scarf<\/td>lay-SHARP<\/td><\/tr>
les gants (m.)<\/td>gloves<\/td>gah(n)<\/td><\/tr>
la ceinture<\/td>belt<\/td>sa(n)-T\u00dcR<\/td><\/tr>
les lunettes (f.)<\/td>glasses<\/td>l\u00fc-NET<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Les chaussures<\/span> and les chaussettes<\/span> are the classic pair to confuse: shoes end in “-S\u00dcR”, socks in “-SET”.<\/p>\n\n

Plurals to watch<\/h3>\n\n
  • -eau takes x:<\/strong> un chapeau<\/span>, des chapeaux<\/span>; un manteau<\/span>, des manteaux<\/span>.<\/li>
  • Singular in French, plural in English:<\/strong> un pantalon<\/span> (trousers), un short<\/span> (shorts), un jean<\/span> (jeans), un pyjama<\/span> (pyjamas). Des pantalons<\/span> means several pairs.<\/li>
  • Plural in both:<\/strong> les lunettes<\/span> (glasses).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

    Regional words<\/h3>\n\n
    Quebec<\/th>France<\/th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    le chandail<\/td>le pull<\/td>jumper<\/td><\/tr>
    le coton ouat\u00e9<\/td>le sweat<\/td>sweatshirt<\/td><\/tr>
    la tuque<\/td>le bonnet<\/td>woolly hat<\/td><\/tr>
    les bas (m.)<\/td>les chaussettes<\/td>socks<\/td><\/tr>
    les espadrilles (f.)<\/td>les baskets<\/td>trainers<\/td><\/tr>
    le costume de bain<\/td>le maillot de bain<\/td>swimsuit<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

    In Belgium, a tracksuit is un training<\/span>. In France, les bas<\/span> are stockings and les espadrilles<\/span> are canvas shoes with rope soles, so the Quebec meanings can surprise.<\/p>\n\n

    Wearing, putting on, taking off<\/h2>\n\n
    1. To wear is porter.<\/strong> Je porte une chemise blanche.<\/span> Qu’est-ce que tu portes aujourd’hui ?<\/span><\/li>
    2. To put on is mettre, to take off is enlever.<\/strong> Je mets mon manteau.<\/span> Enl\u00e8ve ta casquette, s’il te pla\u00eet.<\/span> To get dressed is s’habiller<\/span>; to try on is essayer<\/span>.<\/li>
    3. En describes an outfit.<\/strong> Il est en uniforme.<\/span> Elle est en jean.<\/span><\/li>
    4. Size is taille, shoe size is pointure.<\/strong> Quelle est votre taille ?<\/span> Je fais du 38.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n

      Colours, materials and patterns<\/h3>\n\n

      Colours come after the noun and agree: une jupe verte<\/span>, des chaussures noires<\/span>, un pull blanc<\/span>, une chemise blanche<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n

      • Colours from nouns do not change:<\/strong> marron<\/span>, orange<\/span>: des chaussures marron<\/span>, une veste orange<\/span>.<\/li>
      • Compound colours do not change:<\/strong> une veste bleu marine<\/span> (a navy blazer), des chaussettes bleu clair<\/span>.<\/li>
      • Materials take en:<\/strong> un pull en laine<\/span>, un tee-shirt en coton<\/span>, des bottes en cuir<\/span>.<\/li>
      • Patterns take \u00e0:<\/strong> \u00e0 rayures<\/span> (striped), \u00e0 carreaux<\/span> (checked), \u00e0 pois<\/span> (spotted).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

        Pour aller au coll\u00e8ge, je porte un uniforme : une veste bleu marine, une chemise blanche et une cravate.<\/span>For school I wear a uniform: a navy blazer, a white shirt and a tie.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

        Le week-end, je porte un jean et un sweat.<\/span>At the weekend I wear jeans and a sweatshirt.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

        \u00c7a te va bien !<\/span>That suits you!<\/small><\/p>\n\n

        School uniform is a good cultural talking point: most French state schools have no uniform.<\/p>\n\n

        False friends<\/h2>\n\n
        • un costume<\/span> is a suit; a fancy-dress costume is un d\u00e9guisement<\/span>.<\/li>
        • une veste<\/span> is a jacket; a vest is un maillot de corps<\/span> or un d\u00e9bardeur<\/span>.<\/li>
        • un slip<\/span> is a pair of pants or briefs, not a petticoat.<\/li>
        • les baskets<\/span> are trainers, not baskets.<\/li>
        • un sweat<\/span> is a sweatshirt, pronounced “sweet”.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

          Idioms and expressions<\/h2>\n\n
          French<\/th>Literally<\/th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
          retourner sa veste<\/td>to turn your jacket inside out<\/td>to change sides<\/td><\/tr>
          prendre une veste<\/td>to take a jacket<\/td>to be turned down, to fail<\/td><\/tr>
          avoir plusieurs casquettes<\/td>to have several caps<\/td>to wear several hats<\/td><\/tr>
          c’est bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet<\/td>it’s white bonnet and bonnet white<\/td>it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other<\/td><\/tr>
          l’habit ne fait pas le moine<\/td>the habit doesn’t make the monk<\/td>don’t judge by appearances<\/td><\/tr>
          \u00eatre dans ses petits souliers<\/td>to be in your little shoes<\/td>to feel ill at ease<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

          Typical mistakes of English-speaking learners<\/h2>\n\n
          • “Des pantalons” for one pair:<\/strong> it is un pantalon<\/span>.<\/li>
          • Colour before the noun:<\/strong> “une rouge jupe” instead of une jupe rouge<\/span>.<\/li>
          • Agreeing invariable colours:<\/strong> “des chaussures marrons” for des chaussures marron<\/span>.<\/li>
          • Chaussures and chaussettes swapped.<\/strong><\/li>
          • “Costume” for fancy dress:<\/strong> it is un d\u00e9guisement<\/span>.<\/li>
          • “Je mets” for “I wear”:<\/strong> mettre<\/span> is to put on; porter<\/span> is to wear.<\/li>
          • Pronouncing the silent ending:<\/strong> “bot-TES” for bottes<\/span>, “gants” with a t.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

            In class: clothes as a word of the day<\/h2>\n\n

            Clothes are the easiest theme to show: the class is full of real examples.<\/p>\n\n

            1. Show the picture and the English word: “scarf”.<\/li>
            2. Ask Comment dit-on “scarf” en fran\u00e7ais ?<\/span> Pupils guess with a partner or on a mini whiteboard.<\/li>
            3. Reveal l’\u00e9charpe<\/span> with its pronunciation, and give its gender: une \u00e9charpe<\/span>. The class repeats it together, then two pupils alone.<\/li>
            4. Show the example sentence: En hiver, je porte une \u00e9charpe en laine.<\/span><\/li>
            5. Give the reuse task: each pupil adds a colour and agrees it: une \u00e9charpe rouge<\/span>, une \u00e9charpe grise<\/span>.<\/li>
            6. Recall yesterday’s word and one from last week.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n

              That is exactly what a daily routine does: a word pupils can see, then reuse straight away.<\/p>\n\n

              Guessing games<\/h3>\n\n

              Qui est-ce ?<\/span>: a pupil describes what a classmate is wearing and the class guesses who: Il porte des baskets blanches et un sweat gris.<\/span> Riddles: On la met sur la t\u00eate pour jouer au baseball. Qu’est-ce que c’est ?<\/span> (la casquette<\/span>). A dressing-up bag lets KS2 pupils act out mettre<\/span> and enlever<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n

              • A1<\/b>The word with its article and a colour: un pull bleu<\/span><\/li>
              • A2<\/b>Describe what you wear: Au coll\u00e8ge, je porte\u2026, le week-end, je porte\u2026<\/span><\/li>
              • B1<\/b>Past and shopping: Samedi, j’ai essay\u00e9 un jean, mais il \u00e9tait trop grand.<\/span><\/li>
              • B2<\/b>Opinions on uniform and fashion: Je ne pense pas que l’uniforme soit n\u00e9cessaire.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n

                At KS2, a picture and a dressing-up game are enough. At KS3, insist on agreement and the position of the colour. At GCSE, clothes return through shopping, school and identity.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Clothes in French with the article and pronunciation, porter and mettre, colour agreement, false friends and a daily word of the day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"menu_order":29,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Clothes in French: Vocabulary, Colours, Porter | VocaDial","_seopress_titles_desc":"Clothes in French with articles and pronunciation, porter and mettre, colour agreement, false friends, Quebec words, idioms and a daily class routine.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_vd_topic":"vetements","_vd_target":"fr","_vd_module":"palabra","_vd_level":"A1","_vd_minutes":"7","_vd_card_word":"le pull\u2026","_vd_answer":"Common clothes in French include le tee-shirt<\/span> (T-shirt), la chemise<\/span> (shirt), le pantalon<\/span> (trousers), la jupe<\/span> (skirt), le pull<\/span> (jumper), la veste<\/span> (jacket), les chaussures<\/span> (shoes) and les chaussettes<\/span> (socks). \"To wear\" is porter<\/span>: Je porte un pull bleu<\/span>. Note that le pantalon<\/span> is singular for one pair.","_vd_faq":"[{\"q\":\"How do you say \\\"clothes\\\" in French?\",\"a\":\"Les v\u00eatements<\\\/span>, a masculine plural noun. One item of clothing is un v\u00eatement<\\\/span>.\"},{\"q\":\"What is the difference between porter and mettre?\",\"a\":\"Porter<\\\/span> means to wear: Je porte un jean<\\\/span>. Mettre<\\\/span> means to put on: Je mets mon manteau<\\\/span>. To take off is enlever<\\\/span>.\"},{\"q\":\"Is pantalon singular or plural in French?\",\"a\":\"Singular: un pantalon<\\\/span> is one pair of trousers. The same goes for un short<\\\/span>, un jean<\\\/span> and un pyjama<\\\/span>.\"},{\"q\":\"Do colours agree with clothes in French?\",\"a\":\"Yes, most do: une jupe verte<\\\/span>, des bottes noires<\\\/span>. Marron<\\\/span>, orange<\\\/span> and compound colours such as bleu marine<\\\/span> never change.\"},{\"q\":\"How do you say \\\"trainers\\\" in French?\",\"a\":\"Les baskets<\\\/span> in France and Belgium, les espadrilles<\\\/span> in Quebec.\"}]","_vd_key":"vetements-fr","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-88","vd_ressource","type-vd_ressource","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource\/88","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/vd_ressource"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource\/88\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}