French word

natte

Pronunciation

IPA/nat/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbraid

Example

Elle a une natte.

She has a braid.

Illustration for natte (braid)

More examples

Elle s'est fait une natte avant la fête.

She got her hair braided before the party.

Core concept

A flat, elongated braid made by interlacing strands, whether hair or plant material.

Common phrases

  • se faire une natte

    get one's hair braided

  • avoir une natte

    have a braid

Similar words

tresse: A hairstyle made by braiding three sections of hair.
tapis: A woven floor covering made from straw, fabric, or similar material.

Definition in French

Tresse formée en entrelaçant trois mèches de cheveux, généralement plate et portant un aspect long; le terme désigne aussi une natte tressée utilisée comme tapis ou paillasson.

Word origin

French natte comes through Old French from Latin matta, meaning a mat; the hair sense developed from the resemblance between a woven mat and interlaced hair.

Usage tips

  • Natte is feminine, so use une natte; in the plural, des nattes can refer to braided hair or mats depending on context.

Other meanings

  • pigtailnoun
  • matnoun

Related words

  • nattébraidedadjective

Word lists with this word