Body parts in French

Let’s start with the head and its parts. The front part of the head is called the face, or in French, le visage. While you can also say la face, le visage is more commonly used.

Key Vocabulary for the Face

Here are the essential parts of the face in French:

• Les cheveux – Hair
• Le front – Forehead
• L’oreille – Ear
• La pommette – Cheekbone
• La joue – Cheek
• La bouche – Mouth
• Le menton – Chin
• La mâchoire – Jaw
• La narine – Nostril
• Le nez – Nose
• Les yeux – Eyes
• La tempe – Temple

The Eye: A Closer Look

Now, let’s look in more detail at the eye and its parts.

Vocabulary for the Eye

• Le sourcil – Eyebrow
• La paupière – Eyelid
• Les cils – Eyelashes
• La sclère – The white part of the eye
• L’iris – Iris (the colored part of the eye)
• La pupille – Pupil

The Mouth: Important Vocabulary

Let’s now focus on the parts of the mouth. These words are essential for talking about eating, speaking, and facial expressions.

Parts of the Mouth in French

• La lèvre – Lip
• La gencive – Gum
• Les dents – Teeth
• La gorge – Throat
• La langue – Tongue
• Le palais – Palate

The Back of the Head

Now let’s move to the back of the head. Here are two important words:

• La nuque – Nape of the neck
• Le crâne – Skull

The Torso: Upper and Lower Body

The Front of the Torso

Moving on to the torso, here are the key terms for the front part:

• Le cou – Neck
• L’épaule – Shoulder
• La poitrine – Chest
• Le ventre – Stomach

The Back of the Torso

Now let’s look at the back of the torso, focusing on these areas:

• Le dos – Back
• Les reins – Lower back
• La fesse – Buttock
• La hanche – Hip

The Upper Limb: Arm and Hand

Let’s explore the upper limb, which includes the arm and hand.

Key Vocabulary for the Arm

• Le bras – Arm
• Le coude – Elbow
• Le poignet – Wrist
• L’avant-bras – Forearm
• La main – Hand

A Detailed Look at the Hand

The hand has many parts. Let’s break it down:

• La paume – Palm
• Une phalange – Phalanx (the bones in the fingers)
• Le petit doigt (l’auriculaire) – Pinky finger
• L’annulaire – Ring finger
• Le majeur – Middle finger
• L’index – Index finger
• Le pouce – Thumb

The Lower Limb: Leg and Foot

Finally, let’s look at the lower limb, which includes the leg and foot.

Key Vocabulary for the Leg

• La jambe – Leg
• Le genou – Knee
• La cuisse – Thigh
• Le mollet – Calf
• La cheville – Ankle

A Detailed Look at the Foot

The foot is composed of many parts. Let’s explore:

• Le talon – Heel
• Les orteils – Toes
• L’ongle – Toenail