French word

jean

Pronunciation

IPA/dʒin/

Meaning

  • masculine nounjeans

Example

J'ai acheté un jean.

I bought a pair of jeans.

Illustration for jean (jeans)

More examples

Je dois laver mon jean ce soir.

I have to wash my jeans tonight.

Core concept

A sturdy pair of everyday trousers made from twill-woven denim.

Common phrases

  • laver un jean

    wash a pair of jeans

  • un jean droit

    a pair of straight-leg jeans

  • un jean foncé

    a pair of dark jeans

Similar words

pantalon: Long trousers covering both legs from the waist, in various materials and styles.
short: Short trousers ending above the knee, suited to warm weather and easy movement.

Definition in French

Désigne un pantalon fait en denim; le mot sert à parler du vêtement plutôt que du tissu.

Word origin

French jean was borrowed from English jean, a word historically linked to Genoa, Gênes in French, where related cloth was made.

Usage tips

  • French uses the singular un jean for one garment and the plural des jeans for more than one.

Other meanings

  • denimnoun

Word lists with this word