French word

châtain

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃatɛ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivelight brown

Example

Elle a les cheveux châtains.

She has light brown hair.

Illustration for châtain (light brown)

More examples

Son frère a les yeux châtains.

His brother has chestnut-brown eyes.

Core concept

A muted chestnut shade between dark brown and blond, used chiefly to describe hair.

Common phrases

  • les cheveux châtains

    chestnut-brown hair

Similar words

brun: A rich, dark brown color.
marron: A standard brown with mild red undertones.
blond: A bright golden color with strong yellow tones.
noisette: A light hazel brown combining brown and yellow tones.

Definition in French

S'emploie pour une teinte intermédiaire entre brun et blond, rappelant la couleur de la châtaigne, surtout pour désigner les cheveux.

Word origin

Châtain derives from châtaigne, which goes back to Latin castanea and links the adjective to the color of the chestnut.

Usage tips

  • French specifies the shade with clair or foncé, as in châtain clair and châtain foncé.

Other meanings

  • brownadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word