la tête

The French word "tête" literally means "head" — the part of the body above the neck that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Meanings and usage:

• Literal: Refers to the physical head of a person or animal.
  • Example: Il a mal à la tête. (He has a headache.)
• Figurative: Also used to denote the mind, intelligence, or identity.
  • Example: Il a une bonne tête. (He’s smart / has a good head on his shoulders.)
• Can describe a person ("une tête", meaning a smart person, sometimes "un tête brûlée" for a reckless person).

Synonyms and nuances:

• Chef: Often means “chief” or “leader,” but can also mean the “head” in a figurative sense (head of a company, team).
• Crâne: Specifically means “skull,” not the head as a whole.
• Boule (informal slang): Can mean “head,” often emphasizing a rounded shape.

Summary:

• “Tête” is the general and common word for the body’s head.
• Unlike "gueule" (mouth) or more specialized words like "crâne" (skull), "tête" broadly describes the entire head and is widely used both literally and in idiomatic expressions.