French · Body & Health
"Nail (fingernail)" in French: ongle
l'ongle
Fingernail in French is l'ongle, masculine. Se couper les ongles means to cut your nails. A nail (hardware) is un clou—not this word.
Grooming
Je me coupe les ongles ce soir.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ongle
Say it
ohn-gluh
/ɔ̃ɡl/
OHN-gluh. Nasal on; soft gl.
"Nail (fingernail)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'ongle | the nail (fingernail/toenail) Body part. | Body part. |
| les ongles | the nails Plural. | Plural. |
| se couper les ongles | to cut one's nails Grooming. | Grooming. |
| vernis à ongles | nail polish Beauty. | Beauty. |
How to use ongle in real life
- 1Grooming
Je me coupe les ongles ce soir.
I'm cutting my nails tonight.
Les ongles.
- 2Injury
Je me suis cassé un ongle.
I broke a nail.
Un ongle.
- 3Salon
Elle se fait faire les ongles demain.
She's getting her nails done tomorrow.
Se faire faire les ongles.
Mistakes English speakers make with ongle
Incorrect: La ongle est cassée.
Correct: L'ongle est cassé.
Ongle is masculine; use l'.
Incorrect: Un nail cassé.
Correct: Un ongle cassé.
Use ongle for fingernails.
Good to know
Ongle is nail on fingers or toes; hammer nails are clous. French pharmacies sell coupe-ongles and soin des ongles kits. Vernis à ongles is nail polish.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Before a job interview
ChatPal
Tes ongles sont propres ?
Are your nails clean?
You
Oui. Je me suis coupé les ongles hier.
Yes. I cut my nails yesterday.
ChatPal
Parfait. Un ongle cassé, ça se voit.
Perfect. A broken nail shows.
You
Je vérifie encore une fois.
I'll check one more time.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Nail (fingernail)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nail (fingernail)" in French
How do I say fingernail?
L'ongle.
How do I say cut your nails?
Se couper les ongles.
Is ongle masculine?
Yes: un / l'ongle.
What is a hardware nail?
Un clou.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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