This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Textiles / Clothing / Fashion

sept-neuvièmes

English translation: seven ninths

18:22 Oct 30, 2023
French to English translations [PRO]
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
French term or phrase: sept-neuvièmes
Seeking meaning for the term "sept-neuvièmes" in relation to a fashion description. My guess is that it is what we would call "7/8 length" for a skirt.

It is found in a magazine description of new fashion from 1958:
"Jean Patou, avec un nouveau modéliste, propose une ligne sobre et jeune. […] On note un retour aux sept-neuvièmes avec paletot allongé et col écharpe."

Thank you!
Christiana Hills
United States
Local time: 12:46
English translation:seven ninths
Explanation:
I see no reason to depart from the French dimensions. Out of interest, I've taken some images of 'paletots', measured the distance from head to heel (red), and marked 7/9ths of that length from the top of the head, also the same, in green, for 7/9ths of the distance from shoulder to heel.
Note that the Burberry model in the image (court) is also available in long (below the knee) and mi-long (above the knee).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2023-10-31 10:19:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------


Selected response from:

Bourth
France
Local time: 18:46
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2seven ninths
Bourth
Summary of reference entries provided
We have
Ana Vozone

Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
seven ninths


Explanation:
I see no reason to depart from the French dimensions. Out of interest, I've taken some images of 'paletots', measured the distance from head to heel (red), and marked 7/9ths of that length from the top of the head, also the same, in green, for 7/9ths of the distance from shoulder to heel.
Note that the Burberry model in the image (court) is also available in long (below the knee) and mi-long (above the knee).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2023-10-31 10:19:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------




Bourth
France
Local time: 18:46
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  MassimoA: Better to add the hyphen: seven-ninths.
8 hrs
  -> 'seven ninths' is a noun, as here, so no hyphen. 'A seven-ninths share of the inheritance', where we have an adjective, takes a hyphen.
neutral  philgoddard: I don't think anyone will understand this. And it doesn't have a hyphen.
9 hrs
  -> It doesn't have but it should, or it doesn't have and it should not?
agree  Nicole Acher: i think the seven ninths reference is about the length of the "paletot" compared to the dress, as mentioned by Phil in his discussion comments. As for the hyphen, we wouldn't normally use one for a fraction.
12 hrs
  -> Quite possibly. Thanks for understanding hyphens.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


28 mins
Reference: We have

Reference information:
7/8 sept-huitièmes ... which is translated with the same meaning as "seven-eighths"

https://www.google.com/search?q="seven eighths" clothes&tbm=...

I couldn't find any "seven-ninths" though, sorry!

Ana Vozone
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 11
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search