Common mistakes
Visage or figure: face, shape and the English figure trap
Describe a face with visage or figure, recognise a diagram and a public figure, and choose silhouette or chiffre for other English uses of figure.
- A2
- 4 corrections
- Examples and fixes
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In short
Un visage is a face. Une figure can also mean a face, especially in familiar expressions such as se laver la figure. In other contexts, figure means a shape, diagram or prominent person; English “figure” can also need silhouette or chiffre.
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- le visagea whole body shapethe face
Son visage est rond.Her face is round.
For someone’s body outline, use la silhouette: Elle a une silhouette élancée.
- la figureevery English use of figurea face, shape, diagram or prominent person
Le carré est une figure géométrique.A square is a geometric figure.
For the figure “five” as a digit, use le chiffre cinq.
- se laver la figurewashing a drawingto wash one’s face
Il se lave la figure avant le petit-déjeuner.He washes his face before breakfast.
Se laver le visage is another natural way to say this.
- une figure du cinémaa face in every sentencea prominent person in cinema
Cette actrice est une grande figure du cinéma.This actress is a major figure in cinema.
For a face you recognise, try un visage familier.
Name what you can see
Find:
What is the difference between visage and figure?
| With visage | With figure | English |
|---|---|---|
| un visage rond | une figure ronde | a round face |
| un visage souriant | une figure souriante | a smiling face |
| Il s’essuie le visage. | Il s’essuie la figure. | He wipes his face. |
Use visage for a neutral portrait. You will also hear figure in everyday expressions about washing or wiping the face. Both nouns work in the examples above; the article and adjective must agree with the noun you choose.
Sur la photo, on voit bien son visage, mais pas sa silhouette entière.
In the photo, you can clearly see her face, but not her whole body outline.
La figure 2 montre un cercle à côté d’un triangle.
Figure 2 shows a circle beside a triangle.
A numbered illustration takes figure. The context points to a diagram.