chapeau

Everyday

1. (French) "Chapeau" is the French word for "hat". It sounds like "sha-POH" to an English ear. It is not really an English word. tree →
2. (informal, borrowed from French) "Chapeau!" is said to praise someone: "Hats off to you! Well done!" — used by some English speakers, especially in sport like cycling. tree →

In the lessons

In French lessons "chapeau" is a basic clothing word: "un chapeau rouge" (a red hat). English speakers sometimes use it jokingly for a fancy hat, and cycling fans say "Chapeau!" to show respect for a great ride. It tells the reader a speaker is using French for style or praise.

Examples

• "Chapeau" means "hat" in French. tree →
• "J'ai un chapeau bleu" means "I have a blue hat". tree →
• The plural in French is "chapeaux", with an x. tree →
• She won the race all alone — chapeau! tree →
• The magician pulled a rabbit from his chapeau. tree →
• In English we would say "hats off" instead of "chapeau". tree →

Note

A French word, not an English one; the French plural is "chapeaux" (the x is silent). Pronounced sha-POH. "Chapeau!" as praise = "hats off!" (taking your hat off to someone to show respect).