Last week over on my Facebook page, I asked you to share your favorite French words and you had so many good ones! Some were beautiful, others were fun to say, and some even had me pulling out my French dictionary. Today, I want to continue that conversation by highlighting some super cute French words that might just become one of your new favorites!
If you’re interested in the French language, this post is for you. It’s no secret that French is known for being a romantic language, and it has a ton of words that are cute and endearing. These beautiful French words can be used to add a touch of charm to everyday conversations, or to express affection towards loved ones.
Go a step further and incorporate some of these cute French words into your English conversations to give them a bit of flair!
But before we get into my lists, let’s start with the word “cute” itself. How do you say cute in French?
Well, there are a few different ways, the first of which is mignon (or mignonne, the feminine form). If you see a cute kitten, you could use mignon and say c’est un chaton mignon. Mignon is the main way to say cute when you want to say something or someone is adorable and endearing. Use it for people, animals, objects, whatever.
Note: In English, we also can use cute to mean clever, like that’s a “cute prank” and the French do that too. The word to use in this sense is malin (maligne).
Let’s learn some of the most adorable French words and expressions, along with their meanings and usage. Whether you are planning a trip to France, or simply want to expand your French vocab, this article is going to be right up your alley!
Understanding cute French words
French is a beautiful language that is known for its romantic and poetic nature. One aspect that makes French unique is the use of cute and endearing words that add a touch of sweetness to everyday conversations.
Here are some tips to help you understand cute French words:
1. Gender matters
Remember what I said above about mignon vs. mignonne? In French, the gender of a noun determines the form of the article, adjective, and pronoun used to describe it. This means that you don’t always write the adjective the same way. It depends on the noun.
For example, “ma belle” means “my beautiful” and is used to describe a girl, while “mon beau” means “my handsome” and is used to describe a boy. A cute dog is un chien mignon, but for a feminine noun like a cow, you’d say une vache mignonne.
French language basics that don’t exist in English >>
2. Context is key
I’ve made all kinds of French flubs over the years and context can count for so much. Some words sound a bit weird in certain circumstances. Understanding the context in which a cute French word is used is crucial to understanding its meaning.
For example, “un bisou” means “a kiss” and is often used between close friends and family members as a sign of affection. However, using it in a professional setting may be inappropriate.
3. Repetition is common
French speakers often repeat syllables to create cute and endearing words. For example, “mon petit chou” means “my little cabbage” but is also used to describe someone who is dear to the speaker. Similarly, “mon petit chouchou” is a variation of “mon petit chou” that emphasizes the cuteness of the word.
4. Emotions matter
Cute French words are often used to convey emotions such as love, affection, and tenderness. The French have cutesy names for their romantic partners, kids, and pets too just like we do in English.
For example, “mon cœur” means “my heart” and is used to express love and affection towards someone. Similarly, “mon trésor” means “my treasure” and is used to express how much someone means to the speaker. Some more examples of these are below.
Overall, understanding cute French words requires an understanding of gender, context, repetition, and emotions.
Cute French words for love and romance
Affectionate terms
French is known as the language of love, and it’s no surprise that the language has a plethora of French terms of endearment to express love and romance.
Here are some of the most popular French pet names to use with your romantic partner. They all express fondness and familiarity.
- Mon amour – My love
- Mon chéri / ma chérie – My darling (probably the most common French word people use affectionatly with their partner. You hear it quite often)
- Mon bébé – My baby
- Mon cœur – My heart
- Ma belle – My beauty
- Mon ange – My angel
- Ma moitié – My better half
- Mon amoureux /mon amoureuse – my lover
- Mon homme – my man
- Mon mec – my boyfriend (literally my guy)
- Ma nana – my girlfriend, informal
- Ma meuf – verlan for femme, very familiar and used by younger people
- Mon trésor – My treasure
- Ma puce – My flea (a term of endearment that means sweetie/darling but also translates to microchip)
Romantic phrases
French is also known for its eloquent phrases and romantic expressions. Here are some of the most romantic French phrases that are sure to melt your partner’s heart. They’ll have you sounding like a native French speaker in no time! Why not whip one out on Valentine’s Day?
- Je t’aime – I love you
- Tu es la lumière de ma vie – You are the light of my life
- Je suis fou / folle de toi – I’m crazy about you
- Tu me rends heureux / heureuse – You make me happy
- Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi – I can’t live without you
- Tu es la plus belle chose qui me soit arrivée – You are the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me
- Je veux passer le reste de ma vie avec toi – I want to spend the rest of my life with you
- Tu es mon étoile brillante dans le ciel sombre – You are my bright star in the dark sky
It’s no secret that French is a beautiful language to express love and romance. These cute French words and phrases are perfect to use with your loved one, so start memorizing them tout de suite!
Cute French words for friends and family
Terms of endearment
French has a reputation for being a romantic language, but it’s also a language full of cute and endearing words to use with loved ones. Here are some examples:
| French | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Mon chou | My cabbage |
| Ma puce | My flea |
| Mon lapin | My bunny |
| Mon chaton | My kitten |
| Mon poussin | My chick |
| Mon trésor | My treasure |
Friendly & cute French phrases
In addition to terms of endearment, there are also many cute and friendly phrases that can be used with friends and family.
Here are a few examples:
- Coucou ! – This is a cute way to say “hi” to someone you know well. I wrote an entire article all about coucou and how it’s used here. Note: It has nothing to do with the bird that makes the same sound.
- Comment ça va ? – This is a friendly way to ask someone how they are doing.
- Tu me manques – This means “I miss you” (literally you are missing from me) and is a sweet way to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
- Je t’adore – This means “I adore you” and is a cute way to express your love and affection for someone.
- On se voit bientôt ? – This means “Will we see each other soon?” and is a nice way to express your desire to spend time with someone.
Note: The French put a space before their punctuation marks, as in the case of the question marks and exclamation points above. The space is intentional.
French is a language full of cute and endearing words and phrases that can be used with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a term of endearment or a friendly phrase, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Cute French words in everyday life
French is a beautiful language any way you slice it with many cute and charming words that can add a touch of elegance to everyday life. In this section, let’s explore some of the most adorable French words that can be used in everyday conversations.
Food and drink
French cuisine is renowned for its sophistication and elegance. Here are some cute French words related to food and drink:
| French Word | English Translation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Croissant | Crescent | A flaky, buttery pastry that is shaped like a crescent moon. |
| Baguette | Stick | A long, thin loaf of bread with a crispy crust and a soft center. |
| Éclair | Lightning | A long, cream-filled pastry with a chocolate glaze. |
| Macaron | Macaroon | A small, colorful cookie made from ground almonds and egg whites. |
| Crème Brûlée | Burnt Cream | A creamy dessert with a caramelized sugar topping. |
Nature and animals
French is also known for its beautiful words related to nature and animals. Here are some cute French words that can be used to describe the natural world:
| French Word | English Translation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Papillon | Butterfly | A colorful insect with delicate wings. |
| Chaton | Kitten | A young cat. |
| Chouette | Owl | A nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes. |
| Coccinelle | Ladybug | A small, spotted beetle that is considered lucky. |
| Arc-en-ciel | Rainbow | A colorful arc that appears in the sky after it rains. |
French is a language that is full of beauty and charm. By incorporating these cute French words into everyday conversations, anyone can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to their language.
Cute French slang words
French slang words can add an extra layer of cuteness to your conversations. Here are some cute French slang words that you can use to impress your friends.
| French Slang Word | English Translation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Chou | Cabbage | Used as a term of endearment for someone you love. |
| Poulette | Little chicken | Used as a term of endearment for a girl. |
| Loulou | Teddy bear | Used as a term of endearment for someone you love. |
| Mon lapin | My rabbit | Used as a term of endearment for someone you love. |
| Mon poussin | My chick | Used as a term of endearment for someone you love. |
These slang words can be used to express affection towards someone, and they can also be used in a playful manner. For example, you can use “mon poussin” to tease a friend who is acting like a baby chick.
French slang words are not only cute but also add a touch of personality to your conversations. Using these words can help you connect with French speakers on a deeper level and what I’ve listed above is just the tip of the iceberg.
While the words above are pretty tame, it’s important to note that some French slang words may be considered inappropriate in certain situations, although French people do use them frequently.
It’s always best to use slang words with caution and to be aware of their context before jumping in and using them with a French person (especially one you don’t know too well!).
List of beautiful French words
Let’s continue with some pretty French words you can sprinkle into your conversations with your special person. There’s no shortage to choose from, so let’s get into some of the most beautiful French words out there. Here are some of my faves!
First, these French words that literally translate to beautiful:
attrayant(e) – attractive
beau/belle – beautiful (this is the main way to say it and the one you’ll most commonly hear)
brillant(e) – bright/superb
charmant(e) – charming/lovely
éblouissant(e) – dazzling
élégant(e) – elegant
enchanteur (euse) – enchanting/charming (also a noun to mean a charmer)
étonnant(e) – astonishing
étourdissant(e) – stunning
joli(e) – pretty
magnifique – magnificent/gorgeous
merveilleux(euse) – marvelous
séduisant(e) – seductive, attractive
sublime – sublime/magnificent
Note: The ending changes for the feminine form (except magnifique and sublime, they stay the same)
Here are a bunch of French words that I personally find beautiful to say even though many of them are common everyday words. They just sound pretty to English speakers and are fun to say. You felt the same way because a lot of them popped up in your comments on that Facebook post I mentioned in the intro.
arabesque – arabesque
aubergine – eggplant/dark purple color
bienvenue – welcome
une chanson – a song
un chemisier – a blouse
une coccinelle – a ladybug
un coquelicot – a poppy
douceur – softness
un éclair – eclair/lightning
espérer – to hope
esprit – mind/wit/spirit
une étoile – star
flâner – to wander
une grenouille – a frog
une jonquille – a daffodil
mademoiselle – miss (unmarried woman)
une pamplemousse – a grapefruit
une pâtisserie – a pastry, pastry shop
une poubelle – a trash can
une quincaillerie – a hardware store
rayonner – to radiate/shine
There’s no denying that French is a beautiful language with many cute and charming words. From endearing terms of affection to playful French expressions, there are many ways to add a touch of French charm to your vocabulary so next time you have the occasion, why not try one out?
Whether you are looking to impress your friends with your knowledge of French, or simply want to add some charm to your everyday vocabulary, learning cute French words is a great way to do so.
With so many charming and playful expressions to choose from, there is sure to be a word or phrase that suits your style and personality. Hope you added some new words to your French vocabulary! French really is one of the most beautiful languages out there, isn’t it?
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Great list Diane and let’s not forget to pout as we say them. I’m not on face book so here’s my addition ‘ libelulle’
-dragonfly.. I also like compliqué as this is often used. Just saying it solves the problem
Kameela
One of my favorites is feuille, as in sheet or leaf.
Went to out to eat with some classmates while studying in Paris to a place where we knew the proprietor, who had sense of humor, and someone asked, <> (“Are the 1,000 sheets (Napoleons) good? No, they’re not good. They’re only 500 sheets tonight.”)
Haha.
I used the French version of quotation marks and since they’re used in html, the French text didn’t post, so if you’re interested the snippet of conversation goes like this:
Est-ce que les mille feuilles sont bon?
Non, ils ne sont pas bon. Ils sont seulement cing-cent feuilles ce soir.
Bonjour, Diane
Je suis française et j’adore regarder vos vidéos ou lire vos articles. Je trouve intéressant de voir comment les étrangers considèrent mon pays. Je voudrais apporter une petite correction, néanmoins, si vous le permettez. Le mot loulou est un diminutif du mot loup et veut dire mon petit loup et non mon petit ourson. C’est un mot qu’on retrouve dans le nom d’une race de chien : le loulou de Poméranie ou spitz nain.
Voilà. Bonne soirée et continuez votre blog et vos vidéos. C’est super !