When you think of the word 'chest', what comes to mind? Is it the part of your body, a piece of furniture like a chest of drawers, or maybe a pirate's treasure chest?

In English, one word covers all these, but in French, you'll need a few different terms in your vocabulary. Getting them right is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Let's explore the 9 essential French words for 'chest' so you'll always know which one to use!

The standard 'chest' (for both men and women) – la poitrine

The standard word for 'chest' in French, used for both men and women, is la poitrine.

La poitrine refers to the upper front part of the torso, between the neck and the abdomen. It is the most common and neutral term you can use.

A key point to remember is that la poitrine is always a feminine noun. You will always say la poitrine or une poitrine, even when referring to a man's chest.

This term is versatile and appropriate in almost any situation, from a casual conversation to a formal medical appointment. For example, if you feel pain, you would tell a doctor, 'J'ai mal à la poitrine' (My chest hurts).

When referring to a woman, la poitrine is also commonly used as a polite and general term for 'breasts' or 'bust'. While the more direct anatomical term is les seins, using la poitrine is very frequent in everyday language, especially in contexts like fashion or describing one's figure.

It's helpful to distinguish la poitrine from le torse. Le torse (torso) refers to the entire upper trunk of the body, including the chest, back, and abdomen. Therefore, la poitrine is a specific part of le torse.

You might encounter the expression 'bomber la poitrine' or 'bomber le torse', which means 'to puff out one's chest', usually as a sign of pride or arrogance.

💡 * Le bébé dort paisiblement sur la poitrine de son père.

Elle porte un collier qui tombe sur sa poitrine.

Le nageur a une poitrine très musclée.

J'ai une sensation de serrement dans la poitrine.

Fier de sa promotion, il bombait la poitrine en marchant.

The anatomical 'torso' or 'upper body' – le torse

The anatomical 'torso' or 'upper body' – le torse.

In French, le torse is the direct equivalent of the English word "torso." It refers to the main part of the human body, including the chest, abdomen, back, and shoulders, but excluding the head, neck, and limbs. It's a precise, anatomical term.

This word is most commonly used in specific, formal contexts. You will hear le torse in medical settings, during fitness or workout instructions, or when discussing art, such as a classical sculpture.

It's important not to confuse le torse with le buste. While both relate to the upper body, le buste typically refers only to the chest area (the "bust"), often in the context of clothing or a type of sculpture. Le torse is more comprehensive, covering the entire trunk of the body.

Remember that le torse is a masculine noun. Any adjectives used to describe it must also be masculine. For example, you would say un torse musclé (a muscular torso), not une torse musclée.

💡 * L'athlète a un torse puissant et bien défini.

Le médecin a examiné le torse du patient pour vérifier sa respiration.

Cette statue grecque est célèbre pour son torse parfaitement sculpté.

Il fait des exercices de musculation pour développer son torse.

The 'bust' (referring to the upper torso) – le buste

When referring to the upper part of the human torso, including the chest and shoulders, the correct French term is le buste.

Le buste is a masculine noun (un buste) that corresponds directly to the English word 'bust'. It describes the upper section of the body from the waist up, often including the head and neck, especially in an artistic context.

One of the most common uses of le buste is in art. A 'bust' is a sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest. You'll often see this term used in museums or discussions about sculpture.

In fashion and clothing, le buste refers to the upper part of a garment that covers the chest. It's also used when taking measurements for clothes, such as the tour de buste (bust measurement).

It's important not to confuse le buste with la poitrine (the chest). While they overlap, la poitrine often refers more specifically to the chest area or a woman's breasts, whereas le buste is a broader term for the entire upper torso.

💡 * Le musée expose un buste de Napoléon en bronze.

Cette robe est trop serrée au niveau du buste.

Le mannequin porte un vêtement qui met en valeur le buste.

Pour ce patron, vous devez mesurer votre tour de buste.

The medical 'rib cage' – la cage thoracique

The direct and most common translation for the medical term 'rib cage' in French is la cage thoracique.

Let's break it down: 'la cage' translates to 'the cage,' and 'thoracique' is the adjective for 'thoracic,' which relates to the thorax or chest. So, it literally means 'the thoracic cage'.

As indicated by the article 'la', the term cage thoracique is feminine. This is important when using adjectives to describe it, for example, une cage thoracique solide (a solid rib cage).

This term is primarily used in medical, anatomical, and scientific contexts. In everyday casual conversation, people might simply refer to the area as 'la poitrine' (the chest) or 'les côtes' (the ribs).

💡 * Le cœur est protégé par la cage thoracique.

Le médecin a examiné sa cage thoracique après l'accident.

Une radiographie de la cage thoracique peut révéler des fractures.

Les poumons se trouvent à l'intérieur de la cage thoracique.

The 'pecs' or 'chest muscles' – les pectoraux

The 'pecs' or 'chest muscles' – les pectoraux

Les pectoraux is the direct French equivalent for the pectoral muscles, or 'pecs.' It's the standard anatomical term used in contexts ranging from medical discussions to gym talk.

Much like in English, French speakers frequently shorten les pectoraux to les pecs. This abbreviation is extremely common and widely understood, especially in fitness and casual conversation.

The word is a masculine plural noun. While the singular form, un pectoral, exists, you will almost always encounter it in its plural form, les pectoraux, since it refers to the pair of chest muscles.

This term is not slang but a standard part of the vocabulary. You'll hear les pecs used frequently when people discuss their workout routines (la musculation), exercises like the bench press (le développé couché), or general fitness.

💡 * Lundi, c'est la journée internationale des pectoraux à la salle de sport. (Monday is international chest day at the gym.)

Il fait des pompes tous les matins pour muscler ses pecs. (He does push-ups every morning to build his pecs.)

Quel est le meilleur exercice pour travailler la partie supérieure des pectoraux ? (What is the best exercise to work the upper part of the pecs?)

J'ai des courbatures aux pectoraux après ma séance d'hier. (My pecs are sore after my workout yesterday.)

The broad 'chest' (often for a man or animal) – le poitrail

The broad 'chest' (often for a man or animal) – le poitrail

While la poitrine is the general French word for “chest,” le poitrail specifically describes a broad, strong, and muscular chest. It's most often used for men or large animals and carries a connotation of power and virility.

You'll encounter le poitrail in descriptive contexts to emphasize physical strength. Think of a superhero, a bodybuilder, or a majestic animal like a horse or lion. It’s not the word you’d use for an average person's chest, as it would sound overly dramatic.

The word is strongly associated with animals, particularly horses, where it refers to the powerful chest and shoulder area. Remembering this connection can help you recall its meaning of strength and a formidable physical presence.

💡 * Le chevalier bombait le poitrail, fier de sa victoire. (The knight puffed out his chest, proud of his victory.)

Le lion a un poitrail puissant qui impose le respect. (The lion has a powerful chest that commands respect.)

Après des mois à la salle de sport, il avait un poitrail impressionnant. (After months at the gym, he had an impressive chest.)

Le gorille se frappa le poitrail pour montrer sa dominance. (The gorilla beat its chest to show its dominance.)

The female 'breast' or 'breasts' – le sein / les seins

The standard French word for a single female breast is le sein. The plural form, meaning 'breasts', is les seins. This is the correct anatomical term used in both medical and everyday contexts.

An important grammatical point to remember is that le sein is a masculine noun. This might seem counterintuitive, but you must always use the masculine articles le (the) or un (a/one) with it.

The term le sein is versatile and not considered vulgar. It's used in medical phrases like cancer du sein (breast cancer) and in common expressions such as allaitement au sein (breastfeeding).

💡 * Le cancer du sein est une maladie grave qui touche de nombreuses femmes.

Le bébé prend le sein de sa mère.

Elle a une douleur au sein droit.

L'autopalpation des seins est une méthode de dépistage importante.

The colloquial 'chest' (like a trunk) – le coffre

In its most common, everyday usage, le coffre refers to the trunk of a car. If you need to talk about putting luggage, groceries, or anything else in the back of a vehicle, this is the word you'll use.

Beyond cars, le coffre translates to a chest, strongbox, or trunk. This connects to its older meaning. Think of a pirate's treasure chest (un coffre au trésor) or a sturdy box for storing valuables.

The word is also a key part of compound nouns. For example, a safe is a coffre-fort (literally 'strong chest'), and a toy box is a coffre à jouets.

You might hear the expression avoir du coffre, which idiomatically means 'to have a powerful voice' or 'strong lungs'. This metaphorically links a person's chest cavity to a large, resonant box.

💡 * J'ai mis les courses dans le coffre de la voiture.

La carte au trésor indiquait que le coffre était enterré sous le grand chêne.

Ce chanteur d'opéra a un coffre impressionnant.

Nous gardons les couvertures d'hiver dans un vieux coffre en bois.

The anatomical 'breastbone' – le sternum

In French, the specific anatomical term for 'breastbone' is le sternum. This is a direct cognate, making it easy to remember. It is a masculine noun, so you'll always use le or un before it.

The word le sternum is used almost exclusively in medical, anatomical, or scientific contexts. You would hear it from a doctor, in a biology class, or when reading a medical report. It's not a word used in casual, everyday conversation.

For general conversation about the chest area, French speakers use the term la poitrine (the chest). If someone has a pain in that area, they are much more likely to say 'J'ai mal à la poitrine' (I have a pain in my chest) than to specify the sternum, unless they have a confirmed diagnosis.

💡 * Le médecin a identifié une fracture du sternum sur la radiographie. (The doctor identified a sternum fracture on the x-ray.)

Le sternum protège le cœur et les poumons. (The breastbone protects the heart and lungs.)

C'est un os plat situé au centre de la poitrine. (It is a flat bone located in the center of the chest.)

Lors de la réanimation, la compression se fait sur le sternum. (During resuscitation, compression is done on the sternum.)

Are there other ways to say 'chest' in French?

Our guide has covered the most essential French words for 'chest,' from the general term poitrine to the more anatomical torse and the furniture-related coffre. But French, like any language, has nuances, regionalisms, and specific jargon you might encounter.

For more specific contexts, like medical terminology or older literary terms, you can search online for phrases like “termes médicaux pour la poitrine” or “comment dire 'chest' en argot français” to uncover specialized vocabulary.

You might discover other interesting synonyms for 'chest' this way. Always remember to check the definition and, more importantly, the context. A word used in a hospital will be very different from one used to describe a piece of furniture.

As you immerse yourself in French media—watching films, reading books, or listening to news—pay close attention to how these words are used. You'll start to develop an intuitive feel for when to use poitrine versus torse.

If you're looking for more detailed anatomical terms or different uses of words like coffre, online dictionaries like WordReference or Larousse are excellent resources. They often provide example sentences that clarify usage.

I hope this guide has helped clarify the different ways to say 'chest' in French. To end, here’s a beautiful proverb that reminds us of what the chest holds: Loin des yeux, loin du cœur. (Far from sight, far from the heart.)

'9 ways to say "chest" in French'