You may already know how to say “I love you” in French – but when it comes to expressing your feelings, it may not always be enough. Sometimes, you need more than just three words to show all your fondness, and that is when pet names and words of endearment come into play.
Fortunately, when it comes to words of endearment, French is full of them! There are so many different words to express affection and love that you may be surprised at how many there are.
In this article, we will explore some of the most beautiful and poetic French words for love as well as some classic French pet names. Some of them can be funny, and some you won't even find in the English language - but that's the beauty of them.
So whether you are looking for a new way to say "I love you" or just want to learn more about French culture, read on!
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10 Most Common French Terms of Endearment
Mon petit chou / Mon chou / Chouchou
Native
Translation
Mon petit chou / Mon chou / Chouchou
My little cabbage
Mon petit chou is a term of endearment that is used to refer to someone you love. It can be translated to mean "my little cabbage" or "my darling". Even if you've just started learning French, you might have already come across it.
The word “chou” in this phrase actually relates to a chou à la crème, a sweet and yummy cream puff. French people use it when talking to someone they are very close to, such as a spouse, partner, or child.
Mon amour
Native
Translation
Mon amour
My love
Mon amour is another term of endearment that means "my love". This is a more general term of affection and can be used for anyone who you care for deeply, including friends and family members. In the morning, you can say, for example, "Bonjour, mon amour!" - "Good moning, my love."
This is a very common term, and you can hear it not just in France, but also in other French-speaking countries.
Mon beau / Ma belle / Ma beauté
Native
Translation
Mon beau / Ma belle / Ma beauté
My beautiful
Ma belle and mon beau are French terms of endearment that can be translated as "my beautiful" or “my handsome” accordingly. Mon beau is typically used for a boyfriend, but can also be used for a close friend or family member, while ma belle is for women. Ma beauté can be used for both female and male loved ones.
Ma chérie / Mon chéri
Native
Translation
Ma chérie / Mon chéri
My dear
Ma chérie and mon chéri are feminine and masculine forms of the French word that can be translated as "my dear," "my darling," or "my sweetheart." These terms can be used for both friends and romantic partners.
And did you know this is considered one of the most beautiful French words?
Mon bébé
Native
Translation
Mon bébé
My baby
Mon bébé is a French pet name that means "my baby". You can use it for both children and adults but is typically used for anyone you care for.
Ma poupée
Native
Translation
Ma poupée
My doll
Ma poupée is a French term of endearment that means "my doll". This term is typically used for young girls, but can also be used for any female loved one. To make it even cuter, you can say “ma poupette.”
Mon bijou
Native
Translation
Mon bijou
My jewel
Mon bijou is a phrase that means "my jewel". This term can be used for both male and female loved ones.
Mon cœur
Native
Translation
Mon cœur
My heart
Mon coeur is a French term of endearment that means "my heart". You can say it to both good friends and romantic partners – just make sure to pronounce it correctly.
Mon trésor
Native
Translation
Mon trésor
My treasure
Mon trésor means "my treasure". This term can be used for anyone who you cherish and hold dear to your heart.
Ma moitié
Native
Translation
Ma moitié
My other half
In English, you would say this as “my better half.” In French, you would use the phrase “ma moitié,” which can also be used in the sense of "partner in crime" or "main squeeze." It literally means “my other half” and can be used to refer to best friends and significant others.
French Love Nicknames for Women
Let’s say you fall in love with a French lady. When it comes to French pet names for women, there are quite a few to choose from, some of which can be amusing to English speakers. Here are some of the most common ones:
Native
Translation
Ma colombe
My dove
Mon canard
My duck
Ma cacahuète
My peanut
Ma cerise
My cherry
Ma chout / choupinette
Is derived from “my chou”
Ma biche, ma bichette
My doe
Ma puce / pupuce
My flea (a very strange yet very common in French, the English equivalent can be something like "my sweety pie")
Ma chatte
My cat (just be careful with this one: just like the English word “pussy”, it has two meanings).
Ma gazelle
My gazelle
Ma crevette
My shrimp
Native
Translation
Ma poule, ma poulette
My hen
Ma sardine
My sardine
Ma souris
My mouse
Mon sucre d’orge
My little candy
These are all affectionate terms that you can use to call your girlfriend, wife, or female friend. And yes, most of them sound pretty funny and even silly in English, but in French, they are pretty sweet.
French Love Nicknames for Men
But what happens if you fall in love with a French man? What should you call him? When it comes to French pet names for men, there are also quite a few to choose from - and yes, their English translations can also be very funny. Here are some of the most common ones:
Native
Translation
Mon chat
My cat
Mon choupinet
Derived from “mon chou”
Mon loup
My wolf
Mon loulou
No translation, but the name is believed to be derived from “loup”
Mon ours
My bear
Mon nounours
My teddy bear
Mon lapin
My bunny
Mon lutin
My elf
Mon poussin
My baby chicken
Mon gros
My fat one (it sounds rude in English, but in French it’s a common term of endearment)
Mon homme
My man
French Love Nicknames for Children
Let’s say it all works out, and you have some beautiful French babies. Here are some of the most common French pet names for children, like Mon Ange English translation (you can use them both for boys and girls):
Native
Translation
Mon ange
My angel
Native
Translation
Mon bébé
My baby
Ma petite sirène
My little mermaid
Mon grand, ma grande
My big boy, my big girl
Mon vilain
My naughty one
Mon petit monstre
My little monster
Of course, these are not the only French terms of endearment for kids – you can also use those mentioned earlier above, just be careful with the ones that have double meanings.
Other Terms of Endearment to Use in French
Pet names can be fun to use for everyone – whether for loved ones, kids, friends, or just people you care for. So here’s another batch of French cute nicknames to use:
Native
Translation
Mon rayon de soleil
My ray of sunshine
L’amour de ma vie
The love of my life
Ma raison de vivre
My reason for living
Mon doudou
My cuddly toy
Mon rêve
My dream
Mon mignon
My cutie, my little one
Mon ciel étoilé
My starry sky
Mon plaisir quotidien
My daily pleasure
Final Thoughts
The French language is full of words that convey affection and love. Whether you’re talking to your significant other, a best friend, or a child, there’s sure to be a term of endearment that fits the bill. And if you ever find yourself out of nicknames, don’t worry – you can always make up something that sounds cute.
So go forth and express your love in French!
FAQs
How can I call my lover in French? ›
- Mon amoureux (M), mon amoureuse (F): My lover; some people will say this to children, as it does not necessarily mean someone you bed, but it's honestly a little creepy.
- Mon homme (M): My man.
- Ma nana (F): my girlfriend, informal.
- Babe. You can't go wrong with this staple. ...
- Baby. "Baby" is another go-to nickname that will stick even after you have kids. ...
- (My) Beloved. "My beloved" was once the most popular term of affection. ...
- Darling. ...
- Love. ...
- Love Bug. ...
- Lover. ...
- Hot Stuff.
| Tu as de beaux yeux. | You have beautiful eyes. |
|---|---|
| Je t'adore | I adore you. |
| Je t'aime. | I love you. |
| Moi aussi, je t'aime. | I love you too |
| Je pense toujours à toi. | I always think about you. |
Mon beau / Ma belle / Ma beauté
Ma belle and mon beau are French terms of endearment that can be translated as "my beautiful" or “my handsome” accordingly. Mon beau is typically used for a boyfriend, but can also be used for a close friend or family member, while ma belle is for women.
c'est mon âme sœur.
What is the cutest endearment? ›- Babe.
- Love.
- Beautiful.
- Princess.
- Buttercup.
- Cutie pie.
- Dream girl.
- Love bug.
- Little cabbage (French)
- Pumpkin (Brazil / Portuguese)
- Egg with eyes (Japanese)
- Lump of sugar (Spanish)
- Fruit of my heart (Indonesian)
- My flea (French)
- Gazelle (Arabic)
- Little elephant (Thai)
French nicknames for men, women, and kids
L'amour de ma vie. Love of my life. Ma crotte. My poo. Mon rêve.
- Mon amour – my love.
- Mon ange – my angel.
- Mon trésor – my treasure.
- Mon coeur – my heart.
- Mon canard – my duck – yes, I know… wait, it gets worse…
- Mon chou – my sweet bun (un chou à la crème is a cream filled puff pastry) – “mon petit chou” is also quite common… ...
- Mon chouchou – comes from “mon chou”
- I am here for you… always.
- I'm yours.
- I'm the luckiest person in the world.
- We are meant to be.
- I'd do anything to make you smile.
- You are my soulmate.
- My heart calls out for you.
- I like the way you make me feel, even when you are not around.
What is the prettiest French word? ›
- Douceur.
- Feuilleter.
- Onirique.
- Flâner.
- Chuchoter.
- Rêvasser.
- Éphémère.
- Émerveiller.
The French don't have to say it, either. They are happy to communicate their feelings with hugs, cuddles and kisses wherever and whenever they feel the need to express love. There is no debate about public displays of affection in France, where PDAs are celebrated as a fortunate consequence of love.
What is the best French quote about love? ›“La vie est un sommeil, l'amour en est le rêve.” “Life is a long sleep and love is its dream.” “Aimer, c'est vivre; aimer, c'est voir; aimer, c'est être.” “Love, it is life; love, it is sight; love, is to be.”
What is French flirting? ›Draguer – to flirt. If you fancy trying your hand at the French dating scene, draguer is the perfect word, it means flirting with or hitting on someone. You can decide to be upfront about it and say it directly to the person you fancy. Oui je te drague – Yes, I'm hitting on you.
What are French terms for boyfriend? ›| 32) Mon Vieux: | My Old One (but closer in meaning to Big Guy) |
| 33) Mon Bébé D'amour: | My Love Baby |
| 34) Mon Bibou: | Means Nothing Like "Smoopy Poop" |
| 35) Mon Grand: | My big (this common term idiomatically means "big boy" |
| 36) Mon Petit Monstre: | My Little Monstre (Great For The Kids) |
It's no big deal in France
The French didn't even have a word for the style of kissing until 2014, when the Petit Robert dictionary added a new verb: “Galocher.” It literally means “to kiss with tongues.”
Fleur-de-lis.
Does J adore mean in French? ›Strong → J'adore → I love it / I really like it / I'm fond of it.
What is a better word than soulmate? ›nounmale acquaintance or romantic companion. admirer. beau. companion. confidant.
What is the oldest term of endearment? ›“Little dove” may be the earliest recorded term of endearment there is, as it is mentioned in the Bible in the Song of Songs.
What pet names do guys like? ›
Men like being complimented on their appearance, as well as their personality. Nicknames are a great way to express affection and familiarity. "Cutie" or Good-looking" are great nicknames when flirting, while names like "Babe" or "Honey" are better for committed relationships.
What are romantic nicknames called? ›Angel Eyes | Angel Face | Baby Cakes | Baby Doll | Baby Face | Baby Girl | Beautiful | Big Daddy | Boo-Boo | Bright Eyes | Buttercup | Care Bear | Cookie | Cuddle Bug | Cuddle Bunny | Cupcake | Cutie | Cutie Pie | Darling | Dear | Dearest | Doll Face | Handsome | Honey Bee | Honey Bunch | Honey Buns | Honey Muffin | ...
What is a sweet term of endearment? ›Most terms of endearment in English are generally based on some themes. First, of course, is about anything sweet. Think: honey, sugar, sweetie, cupcake, muffin, buttercup, and any sweet and delicious pastry you could think about.
What is the most popular term of endearment? ›Pet names like “sweetheart” and “honey” have been around for hundreds of years (since the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, respectively), while newcomer “bae” is a twenty-first-century invention. Popular terms also vary greatly from culture to culture.
What are flirty nicknames for guys? ›- Booboo Bear.
- Bubble Butt.
- Dream Boat.
- Fuzzy Butt.
- Goober.
- Hunk.
- Hot Lips.
- Hottie McHotpants.
Je t'aime pour toujours – I love you forever. Je t'aime chaque jour davantage – I love you more each day. Je t'aime plus que le jour – I love you more than the day. Je t'aime de toute mon âme – I love you with all of my soul.
What name can I call my lover? ›If you're in a relationship, it's not unusual to give your partner nicknames, including but not limited to: bae, baby, my love, boo, sweetheart, etc. Turns out these pet names aren't just cute (even though, okay, some might sound silly), but they can actually be a super important part of your relationship.
What is a pretty girl called in French? ›a pretty girl [example]
une jolie môme [slg.]
- Cupcake.
- Honey.
- Partner In Crime.
- Darling.
- Hon Hon.
- BAE.
- Bubba.
- Angel.
- Sugarplum.
- Sugar.
- Peanut.
- Jellybean.
- Sweet Cheeks.
- Sweetie.
- Sweets.
- Sweat Pea.
When a French man says I love you? ›
In France, “I love you” – or rather “Je t'aime” – almost always means one thing and that is “I'm in love with you.” You will very rarely hear “Je t'aime” outside of a couple/lovers paradigm.
How do you say I love you in a deep way? ›- You are the one I choose. You are the one I choose today. ...
- I am thankful for you. God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought me to you, and you to me. ...
- I will never stop fighting for us. ...
- I will be your strength. ...
- I'm not leaving. ...
- I need you. ...
- You have me.
- I'm crazy about you.
- You are the love of my life.
- I would be lost without you.
- Kiss me. Then kiss me again.
- Always kiss me goodnight.
- I still fall for you, every day.
- You're my person.
- You're my soulmate.
2. 143: I Love You. This one is easy. I (1) Love (4) You (3).
What is another word for gorgeous in French? ›Ravissant(e)
Ravissant is the equivalent of ravishing or gorgeous, another French word for beautiful.
blessed → béni, bienheureux, heureux.
What are 10 French words? ›- Bonjour = Hello, Good morning.
- Au revoir = Goodbye.
- Oui = Yes.
- Non = No.
- Merci = Thank you.
- Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much.
- Fille = Girl.
- Garçon = Boy.
Noun. bae (plural baes) (slang) Darling (term of endearment). quotations ▼
What should I call my boyfriend in French? ›The word “copain” means “boyfriend,” but you can also say “petit copain,” “petit ami,” and “cheri” to refer to him. Other slang terms of endearment in French include “mon mec,” “amoureux,” “Jules,” and “Flirt.”
What does ma chérie amour mean? ›Translation of "amour, ma chérie" in English. love, my darling.
What is another word for my lover? ›
In this page you can discover 67 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for lover, like: darling, love, inamorato, gallant, charmer, beloved, paramour, sweetheart, amoroso, escort and admirer.