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.
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 (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!
