Linguistic Insights & Cultural Trivia

'Le peigne' (/lə pɛɲ/) is a masculine noun from Latin 'pecten'. The 'gn' spelling produces the palatal nasal /ɲ/ sound (similar to the 'ny' sound in 'canyon' or 'piñata'). In French figurative speech, 'passer au peigne fin' means to search or investigate something with a fine-tooth comb. French vanity sets crafted from tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl have been celebrated fashion accessories in Paris since the Renaissance.

Daily Conversational Example

"Elle démêle ses cheveux avec un peigne en nacre."

— She detangles her hair with a mother-of-pearl comb.

Other Vocabulary in this Scene (The Parisian Bathroom)

le robinet /lə ʁɔ.bi.nɛ/ The Faucet / Tap la serviette /la sɛʁ.vjɛt/ The Towel le savon /lə sa.vɔ̃/ The Soap le parfum /lə paʁ.fœ̃/ The Perfume le peigne /lə pɛɲ/ The Comb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the grammatical gender of "le peigne"?
In French, "le peigne" uses the article "le" which denotes a masculine noun. Remember to match associated adjectives accordingly!
How can I practice pronouncing "le peigne" with the native rhythm?
Listen closely to the audio by clicking the "Listen" button in the interactive game above. Practice matching the phonetic transcription /lə pɛɲ/.