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A2 noun 10 دقيقة للقراءة

narine

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح narine في 30 ثانية

الشرح narine in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn the basic parts of the body. You probably already know 'le nez' (the nose). 'La narine' is the next step. It is the specific word for the two holes in your nose. At this level, you don't need to use it in complex sentences. You should focus on recognizing the word and knowing its gender: it is feminine (une narine). You might see it in a simple doctor's visit scenario or when learning about the face. For example, if you are describing a face in a drawing, you could say 'Il a deux narines'. It is a useful word to know because it helps you be more specific than just saying 'le nez'. You will mostly use it in the plural, 'les narines'. Remember, even though 'nez' is masculine, 'narine' is feminine. This is a common pattern in French where related words have different genders. Just think of it as a basic vocabulary building block for describing yourself and others. You might also hear it when someone is talking about a cold or having a 'nez bouché' (blocked nose), as they might specify which nostril is the problem. Keep it simple: 'la narine' = the nostril.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'narine' in more descriptive contexts. You are learning to describe people's physical appearance and health in more detail. You can use 'narine' to describe someone's face more accurately. For instance, 'Elle a de petites narines' (She has small nostrils). You also start to use verbs related to health. If you go to a French pharmacy because you have an allergy, you might hear 'Mettez le spray dans la narine'. You should also be aware of the plural form 'les narines' and how it interacts with adjectives. Since 'narine' is feminine, the adjectives must also be feminine: 'les narines dilatées' (flared nostrils). You are moving beyond just identifying the body part to using it in functional, everyday situations. You might also encounter it in simple stories or descriptions of nature where smells are mentioned. For example, 'L'odeur des fleurs entre dans mes narines'. This level is about building the bridge between basic anatomy and practical application in sentences about health, beauty, and sensory experiences. You should also start to notice the difference between 'le nez' (the whole organ) and 'la narine' (the opening), using the latter when you want to be more precise.

By the B1 level, you are expected to handle more nuanced descriptions and understand 'narine' in a variety of contexts, including emotional ones. You should know that 'les narines qui se dilatent' (nostrils flaring) is a common way to describe someone who is angry or excited in French literature or storytelling. You can use the word to express sensory feelings more vividly. For example, 'L'air pur de la montagne me remplissait les narines'. At this level, you are also more comfortable with prepositions and complex sentence structures. You might say 'Il respire bruyamment par les narines' (He breathes loudly through his nostrils). You should also be familiar with common phrases like 'à pleines narines' (deeply/with full nostrils), which is used to describe enjoying a scent. In a medical context, you can describe symptoms more clearly to a doctor, such as 'J'ai une irritation dans la narine droite'. Your vocabulary is expanding to include related actions like 'se moucher' (to blow one's nose) or 'éternuer' (to sneeze), and 'narine' fits perfectly into these conversations. You are also starting to recognize the word in different registers, from a child's health book to a standard news report about air pollution affecting our 'narines'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'narine' and be able to use it with stylistic flair. You understand that the word isn't just anatomical but also carries descriptive weight. You can use it in more formal or literary ways, such as describing the 'frémissement des narines' (quivering of the nostrils) to indicate a character's internal state. You are also aware of the technical difference between 'narine' and 'naseau' (used for animals), and you use them correctly without thinking. In debates or discussions about health or the environment, you might use 'narine' when talking about the effects of fine particles or allergens. For instance, 'Les particules fines pénètrent par nos narines et atteignent nos poumons'. You are also capable of understanding more complex instructions in a medical or scientific context. Your ability to use synonyms and related terms like 'ailes du nez' or 'cloisons nasales' shows a higher level of fluency. You can also appreciate the word's use in wine tasting or gastronomy, where the physical act of inhaling a 'bouquet' is described. At B2, 'narine' is no longer just a word for a hole in the nose; it's a tool for precise, evocative, and technically accurate communication in both spoken and written French.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'narine' includes its subtle connotations in high-level literature and specialized fields. You can appreciate how authors like Flaubert or Zola used descriptions of the 'narines' to convey sensuality, pride, or animalistic instinct in their characters. You are comfortable using the word in metaphorical or highly descriptive prose. For example, you might write about how a scent 'assaillit les narines' (assaulted the nostrils) to create a strong sensory image. In professional contexts—such as medicine, biology, or even high-end perfumery—you use 'narine' with absolute precision. You understand the nuances of phrases like 'respiration alternée par les narines' in a sophisticated discussion about wellness or yoga. You are also aware of the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Romance languages. Your use of the word is integrated into a wide range of idiomatic and stylistic expressions, and you never confuse it with its masculine counterparts. At this level, you can also discuss the aesthetics of the face with the vocabulary of a plastic surgeon or an artist, discussing the 'symétrie des narines' or the 'base alaire'. Your mastery of 'narine' is complete, allowing you to move between registers with ease.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, 'narine' is a word you use with the total mastery of a native speaker, including its most obscure and poetic applications. You can analyze the use of the word in classical French poetry, where it might be used to evoke the breath of life or the intake of divine essence. You are capable of using 'narine' in complex philosophical or scientific discourses, perhaps discussing the evolutionary biology of the 'narines' or their role in human pheromone reception. Your vocabulary is so broad that you can choose 'narine' over 'nez' or 'orifice nasal' to achieve a very specific rhythmic or tonal effect in your writing. You understand the most subtle linguistic jokes or puns involving the word. You can effortlessly translate complex medical or literary texts containing the word, capturing every nuance of meaning and tone. For a C2 learner, 'narine' is a versatile instrument in an immense linguistic orchestra, used to provide exact anatomical detail, evoke deep sensory memories, or signal complex emotional states through physical description. You have a deep cultural awareness of how the nose and nostrils have been perceived in French history and art, from the 'grotesque' to the 'sublime', and you can incorporate this knowledge into your own advanced communication.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

narine في 30 ثانية

Narine is a feminine noun meaning nostril, essential for physical descriptions.
It is used in health contexts, such as describing a blocked or irritated nose.
In literature, it often describes emotional states like anger or excitement.
Commonly used in the plural (les narines) or with 'gauche' and 'droite'.

The French word narine refers specifically to the nostril—the external opening of the nasal cavity. While the general word for nose is le nez, la narine (a feminine noun) allows for anatomical precision. In French, you use this word when discussing breathing, smelling, or physical descriptions of a person's face. It is a fundamental part of human anatomy, and though it might seem like a technical term, it is used frequently in everyday language, medical contexts, and evocative literature to describe sensory experiences or emotional reactions.

Anatomical Context: In biology, the narine is the entry point for the respiratory system. Humans have two narines, separated by the nasal septum. In medical French, doctors might ask if a patient has a blocked nostril: 'Avez-vous une narine bouchée ?'
Sensory Experience: The term is often used when describing the act of smelling something intense. Whether it is the aroma of fresh bread or the scent of a perfume, the narines are the physical vessel through which these scents travel. Writers often use the phrase 'dilater les narines' (to flare the nostrils) to show that a character is inhaling deeply to capture a scent.

L'odeur du café chaud vient chatouiller mes narines chaque matin.

Beyond mere physiology, narine carries significant weight in French literature and descriptive prose. When a character is angry, proud, or excited, their nostrils might flare. This physical reaction is a common trope in French writing to signify strong emotion without explicitly naming the emotion itself. For instance, a person who is 'arrogant' might be described as having 'les narines pincées' (pinched nostrils) or 'les narines qui se dilatent' in a moment of passion or rage. This makes the word essential for students moving from basic vocabulary to descriptive fluency.

Il avait les narines frémissantes de colère après cette insulte.

Common Usage in Health: When using nasal sprays or cleaning a child's nose, the word narine is used to specify which side to treat. 'Pulvérisez une dose dans chaque narine' is a standard instruction on French medication labels.

In summary, while le nez is the whole organ, la narine is the specific gatekeeper of breath and scent. Its usage spans from the most mundane tasks like blowing one's nose (se moucher) to the most elevated descriptions of human emotion in classic novels. Understanding this word helps you describe the human face with the precision expected at an intermediate level of French proficiency.

Après avoir couru, l'air frais entrait à pleines narines.

Using narine correctly involves understanding its relationship with verbs of movement and sensation. Because the nostrils are active parts of the respiratory process, they are often the subject or object of verbs like se dilater (to flare), se boucher (to get blocked), or frémir (to quiver). When you are constructing sentences, remember that narine is a countable noun, usually appearing in the plural because we have two of them, but frequently used in the singular when referring to a specific side or a medical issue.

With Prepositions: You will often use the preposition par (through) or dans (in). For example: 'Respirer par les narines' (to breathe through the nostrils) or 'mettre du sérum dans la narine' (to put saline in the nostril).

Le médecin examine la narine droite pour voir s'il y a une inflammation.

In descriptive sentences, narine is often modified by adjectives that describe shape or state. You might hear 'narines larges' (wide nostrils), 'narines étroites' (narrow nostrils), or 'narines pincées' (pinched nostrils). These adjectives help paint a vivid picture of a person’s face. Furthermore, the word is used in the phrase 'à pleines narines', which means 'with full nostrils' or 'deeply'. This is a very common way to describe someone enjoying a scent or fresh air: 'Il humait l'air marin à pleines narines' (He inhaled the sea air deeply).

Elle a les narines très fines, ce qui lui donne un air aristocratique.

Verbs of Action: Common verbs associated with narine include boucher (to block), déboucher (to unblock), nettoyer (to clean), and irriter (to irritate). 'Le froid m'irrite les narines' (The cold irritates my nostrils).

When talking about animals, though narine is technically correct for some, the word naseau is often used for larger animals like horses or cows. However, for a dog or a cat, narine is perfectly acceptable. If you are describing a person's reaction to something disgusting, you might say their nostrils 'se contractent' (contract) or 'se plissent' (wrinkle). This level of detail is what separates a beginner speaker from one who can truly describe human behavior in French.

L'eau de la piscine est entrée dans ma narine et ça brûle.

On peut voir ses narines bouger quand il est essoufflé.

You will encounter the word narine in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly clinical to the deeply poetic. In daily life, the most common place to hear it is in a pharmacy or a doctor's office. When you have a cold (un rhume), the pharmacist might explain how to use a nasal spray: 'Il faut insérer l'embout dans la narine'. Parents also use it with children when teaching them hygiene, such as how to clean their nose properly without hurting themselves.

In the Pharmacy: Pharmacists will use narine to give instructions. 'Banchez une narine pendant que vous vaporisez dans l'autre' (Block one nostril while you spray into the other).
In Literature: French novelists love using narine to describe characters. It is a word that evokes the senses. A character might 'hummer' (sniff) the air, and the author will describe the air entering their narines to emphasize the physical pleasure of a scent.

L'odeur de la pluie sur la terre sèche montait jusqu'à ses narines.

Another place you'll hear it is in the beauty and skincare industry. Estheticians or makeup artists might mention the ailes du nez (the wings of the nose, which are the outer parts of the nostrils) when talking about contouring or redness. In the context of plastic surgery (rhinoplasty), the shape and size of the narines are frequently discussed. You might hear people talking about 'réduire la taille des narines' (reducing the size of the nostrils) in discussions about aesthetic procedures.

Appliquez la crème anti-rougeurs sur les bords de la narine.

In sports and fitness, particularly in yoga or meditation classes conducted in French, the instructor will often guide your breathing by referring to the narines. They might say, 'Inspirez profondément par la narine gauche' (Inhale deeply through the left nostril). This is part of pranayama (breathing exercises) where alternating nostrils is a common technique. In this context, the word is associated with calm, focus, and biological awareness.

In Cooking and Wine Tasting: While le nez is used to describe the 'bouquet' of a wine, the physical act of smelling it involves the narines. A sommelier might describe a scent that 'emplit les narines' (fills the nostrils).

Ce parfum puissant vient flatter vos narines dès l'ouverture de la bouteille.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with the word narine is getting its gender wrong. Many learners assume that because nez (nose) is masculine, narine must also be masculine. However, it is definitively feminine: la narine. Saying 'le narine' is a common error that will immediately mark you as a beginner. Always pair it with feminine articles and adjectives: une narine bouchée, not un narine bouché.

Gender Confusion: Mistake: 'Le narine gauche'. Correct: 'La narine gauche'. Remember that body parts in French don't have a logical gender system; you must memorize them individually.

Attention : on dit la narine, pas le narine.

Another mistake is using narine when you should use nez. While narine refers to the hole/opening, nez refers to the entire structure. If you want to say 'You have something on your nose,' you say 'Tu as quelque chose sur le nez'. If you say 'sur la narine', it specifically means on the edge or inside the nostril. Using the specific term when the general term is needed can sound overly clinical or strangely detailed in casual conversation.

Il a un grain de beauté juste à côté de la narine.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: English speakers often struggle with the 'r' in the middle of narine. It should be a soft, uvular French 'r', not the hard English 'r'. Additionally, ensure the 'i' is a sharp 'ee' sound and the final 'ne' is clearly articulated as 'n'.

A third common error is confusion with the word naseau. As mentioned before, naseau is for animals. If you call a person's nostrils naseaux, it is either a very specific anatomical insult (implying they have a nose like a horse) or a mistake. Stick to narine for humans. Conversely, don't use narine for a horse's nostrils in a technical equestrian context, as naseau is the correct term there.

Ne confondez pas narine (humain) et naseau (cheval).

When you want to avoid repeating narine or need a slightly different nuance, several other words come into play. The most obvious is le nez, which is the general term for the nose. However, if you are looking for more technical or descriptive alternatives, you might use orifice nasal in a medical or scientific report. This is much more formal and less common in daily speech.

Nez vs. Narine: Le nez is the whole organ; la narine is just the hole. You breathe par le nez (through the nose) or par les narines (through the nostrils).
Naseau: Used for large animals like horses, cows, or hippos. It suggests a larger, more mobile opening than a human narine.

L'anatomie de l'orifice nasal (ou narine) est complexe.

In literature, you might see the term les ailes du nez (the wings of the nose). These are the fleshy outer parts that form the narines. Authors use this to describe subtle movements: 'Les ailes de son nez palpitaient' (The sides of his nose were throbbing/quivering). This is more descriptive than simply saying the nostrils were moving. Another related word is rhinal (adjective), though this is strictly medical and never used in conversation.

Elle pinça les ailes de son nez, fermant ainsi ses narines.

If you are speaking informally, you might hear pif or tarin for 'nose', but there aren't really slang words specifically for 'nostrils'. People would just use narines or refer to the nose as a whole. In a poetic sense, narine is often associated with le souffle (the breath) or l'odorat (the sense of smell). When comparing words, remember that narine is the most precise and standard term for this specific anatomical feature.

Appendice Nasal: A humorous or overly formal way to say 'nose'. It encompasses the narines but is much more wordy.

Il a un grand nez, mais ses narines sont toutes petites.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The English word 'nares' (used in medicine) and the French 'narine' share the exact same Latin ancestor. Also, the word 'nez' comes from a different Latin word, 'nasus'.

دليل النطق

UK /na.ʁin/

US /nɑː.riːn/

Stress is typically on the last syllable in French, though it is very even.

يتقافى مع

marine cuisine piscine machine mine colline vitamine doctrine

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the final 'e' as a separate syllable.
Using an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Making the 'i' sound like the 'i' in 'sit' instead of 'see'.
Nasalizing the 'i' (it is not a nasal vowel).
Confusing the gender in speech (saying 'le narine').

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to recognize in context as it looks like 'nares' or 'nostril' in some roots.

الكتابة 3/5

Must remember it's feminine and has only one 'r'.

التحدث 3/5

The French 'r' and the 'ine' ending require some practice.

الاستماع 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to distinguish.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

nez visage corps respirer sentir

تعلّم لاحقاً

sinus muqueuse odorat éternuer se moucher

متقدم

olfaction rhinoplastie septum ailes du nez

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Gender of Body Parts

La narine (f), le nez (m), la bouche (f), l'œil (m).

Plural of Nouns ending in -e

Une narine -> des narines (just add -s).

Preposition 'par' for passage

Respirer par les narines.

Adjective Agreement

Une narine irritée (feminine singular).

Possessive Adjectives with Body Parts

Ma narine (not mon narine).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

J'ai deux narines.

I have two nostrils.

Plural 'les narines' is used here.

La narine est sur le nez.

The nostril is on the nose.

'La' shows that narine is feminine.

Elle touche sa narine.

She touches her nostril.

'Sa' agrees with the feminine 'narine'.

Regarde mes narines !

Look at my nostrils!

Imperative 'Regarde' + plural 'mes narines'.

Une narine est bouchée.

One nostril is blocked.

'Bouchée' is feminine to match 'narine'.

Le bébé a de petites narines.

The baby has small nostrils.

'Petites' is feminine plural.

L'air entre par la narine.

Air enters through the nostril.

'Par' indicates the path.

C'est ma narine droite.

It is my right nostril.

'Droite' is the feminine form of right.

Nettoyez chaque narine avec de l'eau.

Clean each nostril with water.

'Chaque' is used for 'each'.

Il a les narines très larges.

He has very wide nostrils.

Adjective 'larges' follows the noun.

L'odeur arrive jusqu'à mes narines.

The smell reaches my nostrils.

'Jusqu'à' means 'up to' or 'as far as'.

Ma narine gauche me fait mal.

My left nostril hurts.

'Me fait mal' is the standard way to say something hurts.

Il respire fort par les narines.

He breathes loudly through his nostrils.

'Fort' functions as an adverb here.

Mettez une goutte dans la narine.

Put one drop in the nostril.

'Dans' is the preposition for 'in'.

Ses narines bougent quand il rit.

His nostrils move when he laughs.

Verb 'bougent' is plural.

Elle a un petit bijou sur la narine.

She has a small piece of jewelry on her nostril.

A 'nose piercing' is often described this way.

Il humait l'air marin à pleines narines.

He was inhaling the sea air deeply.

Idiomatic expression 'à pleines narines'.

Ses narines se sont dilatées sous la colère.

His nostrils flared with anger.

Reflexive verb 'se dilater' in the passé composé.

L'eau lui est montée dans les narines.

Water went up his nostrils.

Indirect object pronoun 'lui' indicates 'his'.

Elle a les narines pincées par le froid.

Her nostrils are pinched by the cold.

Past participle 'pincées' as an adjective.

Le parfum était si fort qu'il lui piquait les narines.

The perfume was so strong it stung his nostrils.

'Piquer' means to sting or prick.

Il faut boucher une narine pour ce test.

You have to block one nostril for this test.

Infinitive 'boucher' used after 'il faut'.

Le chien reniflait la piste, les narines au sol.

The dog was sniffing the trail, nostrils to the ground.

Descriptive phrase without a verb.

Une odeur de brûlé a frappé mes narines.

A smell of burning hit my nostrils.

Metaphorical use of 'frapper' (to hit).

L'inflammation de la narine peut causer des douleurs.

Inflammation of the nostril can cause pain.

Formal medical context.

Les narines frémissantes, il attendait le signal.

With quivering nostrils, he waited for the signal.

Present participle 'frémissantes' used descriptively.

Le chirurgien a rectifié la symétrie des narines.

The surgeon corrected the symmetry of the nostrils.

'Rectifier' is a precise verb for 'correct'.

On sentait l'excitation au frémissement de ses narines.

One could feel the excitement by the quivering of his nostrils.

Noun 'frémissement' derived from the verb.

Le pollen irrite les muqueuses des narines.

Pollen irritates the mucous membranes of the nostrils.

Technical term 'muqueuses'.

Il inspira la vapeur par une seule narine.

He inhaled the steam through a single nostril.

Passé simple 'inspira' for literary effect.

La poussière s'est accumulée dans ses narines.

Dust accumulated in his nostrils.

Reflexive verb 's'accumuler'.

Ses narines battaient au rythme de sa course.

His nostrils were beating to the rhythm of his run.

Imperfect tense 'battaient' for ongoing action.

L'arôme subtil du vin vint caresser ses narines.

The subtle aroma of the wine came to caress his nostrils.

Poetic/Literary use of 'caresser'.

Il dédaigna l'offre, les narines pincées de mépris.

He disdained the offer, nostrils pinched with contempt.

Descriptive phrase indicating emotion.

L'air vicié de la mine lui brûlait les narines.

The foul air of the mine burned his nostrils.

'Vicié' is an advanced word for 'foul' or 'polluted'.

Une légère cicatrice bordait sa narine gauche.

A slight scar bordered her left nostril.

Verb 'border' for physical description.

Il humait le danger comme un animal, les narines au vent.

He scented danger like an animal, nostrils to the wind.

Metaphorical use of smelling danger.

L'anatomie des narines varie considérablement d'un individu à l'autre.

The anatomy of the nostrils varies considerably from one individual to another.

Scientific/Academic tone.

Elle sentit un picotement désagréable au fond de la narine.

She felt a disagreeable tingling deep in her nostril.

Noun 'picotement' for a specific sensation.

Les narines de la bête exhalaient une vapeur blanche.

The beast's nostrils exhaled a white vapor.

Literary verb 'exhaler'.

Le frémissement imperceptible de ses narines trahissait son émotion.

The imperceptible quivering of her nostrils betrayed her emotion.

Advanced vocabulary: 'imperceptible', 'trahissait'.

L'encens saturait l'atmosphère, s'insinuant dans chaque narine.

Incense saturated the atmosphere, creeping into every nostril.

Present participle 's'insinuant' for artistic effect.

Il y avait dans le dessin de ses narines une finesse remarquable.

There was a remarkable fineness in the design of her nostrils.

'Le dessin de' refers to the shape or lines.

La cloison séparant les deux narines était légèrement déviée.

The septum separating the two nostrils was slightly deviated.

Technical term 'cloison' (septum).

Il aspirait la vie à pleines narines, sans se soucier du lendemain.

He was breathing in life fully, without worrying about tomorrow.

Metaphorical extension of the idiom.

Les narines dilatées par l'effort, l'athlète franchit la ligne.

With nostrils dilated by effort, the athlete crossed the line.

Passive construction with 'par'.

L'effluve musqué vint frapper ses narines avec une violence inattendue.

The musky scent struck his nostrils with unexpected violence.

Advanced noun 'effluve'.

Chaque inspiration par les narines semblait lui redonner des forces.

Each breath through the nostrils seemed to give him back his strength.

Noun 'inspiration' meaning the act of inhaling.

تلازمات شائعة

narine bouchée

se dilater les narines

à pleines narines

frémissement des narines

narine droite/gauche

pincer les narines

ailes des narines

nettoyer les narines

narines larges

irriter la narine

العبارات الشائعة

Respirer à pleines narines

— To breathe deeply and enjoy the air or a scent.

En arrivant à la campagne, il respira à pleines narines.

Avoir les narines qui frémissent

— To show signs of excitement, anger, or strong emotion.

Il avait les narines qui frémissaient avant de commencer son discours.

Se boucher les narines

— To pinch one's nose to avoid a bad smell.

Tout le monde s'est bouché les narines en passant devant l'usine.

Passer sous les narines

— To pass right in front of someone (referring to a smell).

L'odeur du gâteau me passe sous les narines.

Une narine après l'autre

— One nostril after the other (usually for medical instructions).

Vaporisez le produit dans une narine après l'autre.

Dilater ses narines

— To flare one's nostrils.

Il dilata ses narines pour mieux sentir le parfum.

Le bord de la narine

— The edge of the nostril.

Elle a une petite coupure sur le bord de la narine.

Sentir par les narines

— To smell through the nostrils.

On sent les arômes par les narines.

Narines pincées

— Pinched nostrils (often showing disapproval).

Elle écoutait avec les narines pincées.

L'entrée de la narine

— The opening of the nostril.

Le chatouillement se situait juste à l'entrée de la narine.

يُخلط عادةً مع

narine vs naseau

Don't use 'naseau' for humans; it's for animals like horses.

narine vs nez

Nez is the whole nose; narine is just the nostril.

narine vs marine

Sounds similar but means 'navy' or 'marine'.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Respirer la vie à pleines narines"

— To live life to the fullest, enjoying every moment.

Depuis son voyage, il respire la vie à pleines narines.

figurative

"Avoir les narines en trompette"

— To have upturned nostrils (often used to describe a specific nose shape).

Elle a un petit nez mutin avec les narines en trompette.

informal

"Mettre sous les narines de quelqu'un"

— To put something right in front of someone's face/nose so they can't miss it.

Je lui ai mis les preuves sous les narines.

colloquial

"Se dilater les narines (d'orgueil)"

— To puff oneself up with pride.

Il se dilatait les narines d'orgueil en recevant son prix.

literary

"Passer sous la narine"

— To be just barely missed or to be right under one's nose.

Cette opportunité lui est passée sous la narine.

rare/regional

"Frémir des narines"

— To be on the verge of an emotional outburst.

Elle frémissait des narines, prête à exploser de rire.

literary

"Avoir la narine fine"

— To have a keen sense of smell (or metaphorically, to be perceptive).

Ce détective a la narine fine pour repérer les mensonges.

figurative

"Se pincer les narines"

— To show extreme disgust or disdain.

Elle se pinçait les narines devant ce spectacle vulgaire.

descriptive

"Le vent dans les narines"

— Enjoying freedom or speed.

Il roulait à moto, le vent dans les narines.

poetic

"Chatouiller les narines"

— To tempt or entice someone with a pleasant smell.

L'odeur du chocolat vient me chatouiller les narines.

common

سهل الخلط

narine vs naseau

Both mean nostril.

Naseau is exclusively for large animals (horses, cows), while narine is for humans and smaller animals.

Le cheval a de grands naseaux, mais l'homme a des narines.

narine vs nez

Both refer to the same part of the face.

Nez is the whole organ (masculine), narine is the opening (feminine).

Il a un grand nez et de petites narines.

narine vs marine

They rhyme and look similar.

Marine refers to the sea or the navy; narine is a body part.

L'armée marine n'a rien à voir avec une narine.

narine vs nasal

Related root.

Nasal is an adjective; narine is a noun.

Un spray nasal pour la narine.

narine vs sinus

Both are inside the nose area.

Sinus are cavities deeper in the skull; narines are the external openings.

Mes narines sont ouvertes, mais mes sinus sont bouchés.

أنماط الجُمل

J'ai [nombre] narines.

J'ai deux narines.

Ma narine [gauche/droite] est [adjectif].

Ma narine gauche est bouchée.

Respirer [odeur] à pleines narines.

Il respirait l'air pur à pleines narines.

Ses narines se [verbe de mouvement] sous l'effet de [émotion].

Ses narines se dilataient sous l'effet de la colère.

Le frémissement des narines indique [état].

Le frémissement des narines indique sa nervosité.

L'effluve de [substance] vint assaillir ses narines.

L'effluve de soufre vint assaillir ses narines.

Mettre [objet/produit] dans la narine.

Mettre du spray dans la narine.

L'odeur de [nom] chatouille les narines.

L'odeur de la soupe chatouille les narines.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

nez

naseau

الأفعال

renifler

الصفات

nasal

rhinal

مرتبط

odorat

respiration

sinus

rhume

parfum

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in medical, descriptive, and sensory contexts.

أخطاء شائعة

Le narine → La narine
Narine is a feminine noun. Using 'le' is a common gender error for English speakers.
J'ai mal au narine. → J'ai mal à la narine.
Since narine is feminine, you must use 'à la' instead of the masculine contraction 'au'.
Mes naseaux sont bouchés. → Mes narines sont bouchées.
You are not a horse! 'Naseaux' is for large animals. Use 'narines' for humans.
Un spray pour le narine. → Un spray pour la narine.
Again, a gender mistake. Adjectives and articles must always be feminine.
Il a les narines pincé. → Il a les narines pincées.
The past participle used as an adjective must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with 'narines'.

نصائح

Gender Memory

Always associate 'narine' with a feminine adjective like 'petite' or 'bouchée'. Thinking 'la narine' instead of just 'narine' will help you internalize the gender faster.

Nez vs Narine

Use 'nez' for general talk and 'narine' for specific physical or medical descriptions. If you're describing how someone looks when they're angry, 'narines' is the more evocative word.

The 'ine' sound

Ensure the 'i' is high and forward in your mouth. It should sound like the 'ee' in 'beet', not the 'i' in 'bit'. The 'n' at the end should be crisp.

Expressive Writing

Use 'à pleines narines' when writing about a vacation or a good meal. It's a high-frequency native expression that makes your French sound much more natural.

Politeness

In France, it's particularly impolite to touch your nostrils in public. When teaching kids, parents say 'On ne met pas ses doigts dans ses narines !'

Pharmacy Tip

If you have a cold in France, the pharmacist will ask if you have 'une narine bouchée'. Knowing this word will help you understand their advice on how to use nasal sprays.

Context Clues

When you hear 'gauche' or 'droite' following a body part word that starts with 'n', it's almost certainly 'narine'. This helps you distinguish it from 'nez' which is just one unit.

Visualizing

Imagine a butterfly landing right on the edge of a 'narine'. The delicate image matches the feminine gender of the word.

Animal vs Human

Stick to 'narine' for your pets. While 'naseau' exists, 'narine' is perfectly fine for a dog's or cat's nose holes in a non-technical setting.

Single 'R'

Don't be tempted to double the 'r'. It's 'narine', not 'narrine'. Think of the word 'nasal' which also has only one 'n' and one 's'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'marine' diving into the sea and getting water up his 'narine'. They rhyme and share a similar ending.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person smelling a 'nectarine' (which sounds like narine) and the scent going into their nostrils.

Word Web

nez respirer sentir odeur air rhume visage corps

تحدٍّ

Try to describe the shape of your own nostrils in French using at least three adjectives (e.g., petites, rondes, symétriques).

أصل الكلمة

The word 'narine' comes from the Old French 'narine', which is a derivative of the Latin 'naris' (nostril). In Latin, the plural 'nares' was commonly used to refer to the nose or the sense of smell.

المعنى الأصلي: The original meaning in Latin was simply 'nostril' or 'nose'.

It belongs to the Romance language family, derived from Latin.

السياق الثقافي

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid calling someone's nostrils 'naseaux' unless you want to compare them to an animal.

In English, we use 'nostril' mostly in medical or very literal contexts. In French, 'narine' is slightly more common in descriptive and poetic writing.

Cyrano de Bergerac (mentions of the nose and its parts). Le Parfum by Patrick Süskind (French translation uses 'narines' frequently). Anatomical diagrams in French schools.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Medical/Pharmacy

Vaporiser dans la narine
Narine bouchée
Saignement de narine
Irritation nasale

Physical Description

Narines larges
Narines fines
Narines pincées
Symétrie des narines

Sensory/Smell

À pleines narines
L'odeur monte aux narines
Hummer par les narines
Chatouiller les narines

Emotions

Dilater les narines
Frémir des narines
Narines qui battent
Contraction des narines

Hygiene

Se nettoyer les narines
Se boucher les narines
Moucher une narine
Sérum physiologique

بدايات محادثة

"Est-ce que tu as souvent une narine bouchée en hiver ?"

"Quelle est l'odeur que tu préfères respirer à pleines narines ?"

"Savais-tu que le mot 'narine' est toujours féminin en français ?"

"As-tu déjà essayé la respiration alternée par les narines en yoga ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te fait frémir les narines de colère ?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Décrivez une promenade en forêt en utilisant l'expression 'à pleines narines'.

Racontez une fois où vous avez eu une narine bouchée à un moment important.

Imaginez un personnage avec des narines très expressives. Comment réagit-il ?

Pourquoi est-il important de bien se nettoyer les narines quand on est malade ?

Décrivez l'odeur de votre plat préféré au moment où elle atteint vos narines.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

It is always feminine: **la narine**. Even though 'le nez' is masculine, the specific word for nostril is feminine. This is a common point of confusion for learners, so try to remember 'une narine' as a fixed phrase.

'Narine' is used for humans and most small animals (like dogs or cats). 'Naseau' is reserved for large animals, especially horses and cattle. Using 'naseau' for a human can be seen as an insult or a joke about the size of their nose.

The most common way to say this is **'se dilater les narines'**. You might also see **'avoir les narines qui frémissent'** if you want to describe a more subtle, quivering movement often associated with emotion.

No, 'narine' specifically refers to the nostril. If you want to talk about the nose as a whole, use **'le nez'**. Using 'narine' incorrectly would be like saying 'I have a big nostril' when you mean your whole nose is large.

Yes, it is very common, especially in medical contexts (at the doctor or pharmacy), in physical descriptions in books, and in expressions about smelling things deeply.

It is the standard French 'r', which is produced at the back of the throat (uvular). It should not sound like the English 'r' where the tongue curls. Practice by making a soft 'h' sound and tightening the throat slightly.

It means 'with full nostrils' or 'deeply'. It's used when someone is inhaling a pleasant scent or fresh air with great enjoyment. For example: 'Respirer l'air de la mer à pleines narines'.

The plural is **'les narines'**. Since humans have two, you will see this word in the plural very frequently, especially when describing breathing or facial expressions.

Not specifically for nostrils. However, there are many slang words for the nose itself, like **'le pif'** or **'le tarin'**. If you're talking about nostrils in a slang way, you'd probably just say 'les trous du nez' (the holes of the nose).

Yes! In French yoga classes, instructors often talk about 'la respiration par la narine gauche' (breathing through the left nostril) or 'la narine droite' (the right nostril) during breathing exercises (pranayama).

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