What does deux traits inflexibles mean in Ses lèvres minces comme deux traits inflexibles?

Question

Hi.

How would this be translated into English?

Ses lèvres minces comme deux traits inflexibles?

The two thin lips became 2 characteristically inflexible traits.

Thank you.

Answer 1

"Ses lèvres minces comme deux traits inflexibles" means his or her lips are so thin they look like two rigid lines.

Without any context to this sentence, I would cautiously say that it refers to a person who doesn't show emotions on his or her face. The lips are so rigid that they cannot move (like two straight lines). Such lips won't curl up in a smile, or bend down in sadness either. Inflexible could also refer to the character's personality. Maybe the description of his or her lips is used to depict a rigid mind, someone who won't compromise, a stubborn person. But like I said, without more context, it is hard to really say for sure. The person could also be freezing cold and be trying to make their point that, no, this is it, I won't stay a minute more outside. I want to go home (even if everybody else is having fun and wants to stay).

I hope this answer helps you understand your text better.

Answer 2

....ses levres minces comme deux traits inflexibles...

What a great example of descriptive text!

My translation would be similar to Clarissa's above, but stylistically:

His thin lips...were like two straight lines.

Now, picture that! In other words, this is someone with a poker face, not to be messed with. I'm imagining a man, a Clint Eastwood type, but we are not sure from the text, are we? Since "ses" can be masculine or feminine.

Intrigued?

Descriptive text is one of my favorite things about French. It's to the point, and when done right, you get the idea right away.

A bientôt! :-II

Answer 3

This phrase, when translated into English, says: “his/her/their thin lips, like unyielding lines”

Remember “ses” is the third person possessive pronoun in plural form. That’s why the phrase must start with his/her/their. Context will let you pick between them.

So, you’re right, “ses lèvres minces” means his/her/their thin lips.

“comme,” in French, means “like” in English, or “similar to.”

In this context, you can easily get tripped up by the word “traits.” This word has multiple definitions: feature/trait and line. Given that we’re talking about lips, it may be easy to presume that trait means feature here. However, with the addition of the adjective “inflexible,” it becomes clearer that line is the correct translation. Are features inflexible? Rigid? Unyielding? No, generally these adjectives apply better to lines.

So, “deux traits inflexibles” means “two unyielding lines”