Common French Terms
of Endearment/Compliments –
Essential French Vocabulary
French is often referred to as the language of love, and certainly it is a well deserved reputation. No words of love or compliments sound as sweet in any other language as they do in French, and there are certainly plentiful terms of endearment to choose from.
Many when translated can seem odd, (flea? cabbage? hen?) but roll off the tongue beautifully and convey the affection effectively. Note- these terms are used for people you know well, it would not do to use these words on new or casual acquaintances.
Use this list to arm yourself with fresh ways to make that special someone feel even more special or show even more affection to friends and family.
|
| Phrase in French |
Phrase in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Je t’aime. |
I love you. |
Zhuh Tehm. |
|
Je t’adore. |
I adore you. |
Zhuh tah-dohr. |
|
Mon Cheri (m)/Ma Cherie (f) |
My darling/My sweetheart |
Mohn sherry/Mah sherry |
|
Tu es très jolie. |
You are very pretty. (said to a woman) |
Tyoo eh tray zho-lee. |
|
Tu es très beau. |
You are very handsome. (to a man) |
Tyoo eh tray bow. |
|
Sympa |
Nice |
Sam-pa |
|
Mon ange |
My angel |
Mohn ahhnzh |
|
Ma belle |
My beautiful |
Mah bell |
|
Mon cher/Ma chère |
My dear |
Mohn sheh./Mah share |
|
mon cœur |
My heart |
Mohn kuhh |
|
Bébé |
Baby |
Bay-bay |
|
Je pense à toi. |
I am thinking about you. |
Zhuh pawnce ah twah. |
|
Embrasse-moi. |
Kiss me. |
Ohm-brass-mwah. |
|
Ma biche |
My doe (similar to saying “my pet” (term of endearment)) |
Mah beesh |
|
Ma cocotte |
My hen (quite informal) |
Mah co-cote |
|
Mignon/Mignonette |
Cutie |
Minyohn/Minyohnet |
|
Ma puce |
My flea (yes, it’s really a term of endearment) |
Mah pyooss |
|
Mon petit/Ma petite |
My little one |
Mohn puh-tee/Mah puh-teet |
|
Que tu es belle! |
How beautiful you are! (said to a woman) |
Kuh tyoo eh bell! |
|
Mon trésor |
My treasure |
Mohn trayh-zor |
|
Le coup de foudre |
Love at first sight (literally- a bolt of lightning) |
Luh cooh duh foodruh |
|
Le grand amour |
The love of one’s life |
Luh grahn dah-moor |
|
Fou d’amour |
Crazy in love |
Foo dah-moor |
|
Tu me manques. |
I miss you. (literally, you are lacking to me) |
Tyoo muh mohnk. |
|
Mon chou |
My cabbage (very affectionate term of endearment) |
Mohn shoo |
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