Mains (en. Hands)

/mɛ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Finally, hands are the extremities of the arm containing the fingers.

She washed her hands before eating.

Elle s'est lavé les mains avant de manger.

Hands can also refer to the ability to do something.

One must have good hands to play music.

Il faut avoir de bonnes mains pour jouer de la musique.

In expressions, hands often signify control or authority.

Everything is in his hands.

Tout est entre ses mains.

From the Latin 'manus'.

to have free hands

to be free to do something.

avoir les mains libres

to lend a hand

to actively participate in a task.

mettre la main à la pâte

to reach out a hand

to offer one's help.

tendre la main

workforce

Labor force.

main-d'œuvre

to manipulate

To act on something with the hands.

manipuler

manicure

Care for hands and nails.

manucure

To have a green thumb

He has a green thumb; all his plants are beautiful.

Il a la main verte, toutes ses plantes sont magnifiques.

To have dirty hands

Your hands are dirty; you need to wash them before eating.

Tu as les mains sales, il faut que tu les laves avant de manger.