French names body parts much like English, with one twist: French uses 'le/la/les' (the) where English uses 'my/your'. You don't break YOUR leg — you break THE leg.
Head and face
| French | English | Note |
|---|
| la tête | head | |
| le visage | face | |
| les cheveux | hair | Always plural |
| l'œil / les yeux | eye / eyes | |
| le nez | nose | |
| la bouche | mouth | |
| les lèvres | lips | |
| la dent / les dents | tooth / teeth | |
| la langue | tongue / language | |
| l'oreille | ear | |
| la joue | cheek | |
| le menton | chin | |
Torso and upper body
| French | English |
|---|
| le cou | neck |
| l'épaule | shoulder |
| le bras | arm |
| le coude | elbow |
| la main | hand |
| le doigt | finger |
| la poitrine | chest |
| le dos | back |
| le ventre | stomach / belly |
| le cœur | heart |
Lower body
| French | English |
|---|
| la hanche | hip |
| la jambe | leg |
| le genou | knee |
| la cheville | ankle |
| le pied | foot |
| l'orteil | toe |
Useful sentences
Notice how French uses 'le/la/les', not 'my/your', for body parts.
| French | English | Note |
|---|
| J'ai mal à la tête | I have a headache | Literally: I have pain at THE head |
| Il s'est cassé le bras | He broke his arm | |
| Je me brosse les dents | I brush my teeth | |
| Elle a les yeux bleus | She has blue eyes | |
| Lève la main | Raise your hand | |
Tips to memorize this list faster
- For body parts, use the definite article (le/la/les), not the possessive (mon/ma/mes). The action of the verb makes ownership clear.
- 'Avoir mal à' + body part = 'to have pain in', the standard way to describe aches.
- Cheveux (hair) is always plural in French, even when you mean one head of hair.