Fall in love with French, and then let French help you fall in love.\u00a0I mean, what\u2019s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the French?\u00a0Their love of food, their beautiful cities and romantic landscapes…or their penchant for romance?\u00a0Everything the French do, they do it with an artful passion.<\/p>\n
In just a few moments, we\u2019ll venture through a lovely list of sayings and expressions brought to you by great French romantics themselves.<\/p>\n
[fluentu-toc skip=3]<\/p>\n
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To start off, these are some of the most popular terms of endearment in French (some might be quite unexpected!):<\/p>\n
This is often translated as “my little cabbage” but can also refer\u00a0to a kind of cream puff pastry. It describes someone who’s very dear to you.<\/p>\n
The French like to repeat syllables to make cuter-sounding words, so mon petit chou<\/em> also becomes mon petit chouchou. <\/em>These carry slightly different connotations, with chou<\/em>\u00a0being sweetheart and chouchou<\/em>\u00a0more like darling. It originates from the observation that cabbages and chou<\/em> pastries are small and round like a baby’s head, which is to be adored.<\/p>\n This one translates to “my flea.” This might sound very weird, but it’s thought to originate from when fleas were a daily issue for people and those that they were closest to would pick them off. This isn’t necessarily romantic\u2014it can apply to children as well.<\/p>\n This one is sweet, but watch out: It’s particularly used for younger women! It translates to “my small doe.”<\/p>\n This translates to “my little one.” It comes from the old French word mignot<\/em>\u00a0which meant dainty. It’s the equivalent of the English “sweetheart.” The feminine version is mignonne.<\/em><\/p>\n Translates to “my treasure.”<\/p>\n A lot of French terms of endearment involve animals, and this one literally means \u201cmy little wolf.\u201d This might seem like a funny phrase\u2014wolves are more on the fierce side rather than cute\u2014but it\u2019s because wolves are thought to be loyal and protective.<\/p>\n This one means my \u201ckitten.\u201d A couple of variations are mon petit chat<\/em> (my little cat) and mon mimi\u00a0<\/em>(my pussycat). These are generally used for females!<\/p>\n This translates to “my bunny,\u201d which is another cute animal.<\/p>\n Mon amour<\/em> (or \u201cmy love\u201d) is probably the most classic romantic term of endearment in French. You\u2019ll catch it in movies<\/a>, songs<\/a>\u00a0and even novels<\/a> by the literary greats like Victor Hugo and Marcel Proust. From centuries ago to today\u2019s era of online dating, it\u2019s always been a favorite.<\/p>\n For a classic expression that you can say more often, there\u2019s m<\/em>on ch\u00e9ri<\/em> (for men) or m<\/em>a ch\u00e9rie<\/em> (for women). Aside from romantic partners, this also works for family members and close friends.<\/p>\n This somewhat poetic term of endearment means \u201cmy heart.\u201d A related term is mon petit coeur<\/em> (my little heart).<\/p>\n People naturally love desserts (and sometimes can\u2019t get enough of them), so it\u2019s understandable why you\u2019d call someone you love the French equivalent of \u201cmy sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n If \u201cmy sweet\u201d is too vague, you can get more specific by addressing your significant other as \u201cmy candy cane.\u201d<\/p>\n This one translates to \u201cmy baby\u201d\u2014a popular term of endearment both in English and French.<\/p>\n These terms of endearment (\u201cmy prince\u201d or \u201cmy princess\u201d) are especially significant in French culture because it\u2019s where the concept of chivalry came from. Back in the Middle Ages in France, knights actually did exist\u2014and they wrote poetry, performed songs and even went on tournaments for their princesses.<\/p>\n This means “my half,” which pretty much describes the other person as your match. \u00a0<\/p>\n Calling someone mon \u00e9toile<\/em> (my star) not only expresses affection but also admiration. This person is a shining light in your life\u2014they guide and inspire you while bringing you warmth.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Just as a jewel is highly treasured, this term of endearment (“my little jewel”) expresses how rare and special someone is to you.<\/p>\n After knowing all those terms of endearment, let’s move on to actual French one-liners. Whether you want to make your significant other feel appreciated or flirt with a date, these French expressions will come in handy:<\/p>\n Je t\u2019aime<\/em> is the short and simple way to say \u201cI love you\u201d in French. Of course, you won\u2019t go around using this lightly!\u00a0<\/p>\n You can add another word to je t’aime<\/em> to change the meaning to “I like you” or “I care about you” (non-romantically): Je t’aime bien.<\/em> If a friend confesses their love to you with j<\/em>e t’aime<\/em>, one way to reject them would be to reply with j<\/em>e t’aime<\/em> bien.<\/em><\/p>\n You\u2019ll also probably have heard of je t\u2019adore\u00a0<\/em>(I adore you), which is also often used non-romantically with close friends and family.\u00a0<\/p>\n This translates to \u201cI\u2019m really into you\u201d or \u201cI really like you.\u201d It\u2019s very informal, though, and used more by younger people and teenagers, though using this will make you sound more native, as mentioned in the FluentU French YouTube video<\/a> below:<\/p>\n Kiffer<\/em> is a French slang word<\/a> that comes from Arabic, and it means to like or enjoy. You can say Je kiffe chette chanson<\/em> (I love this song), but then you can also say Je kiffe \u00eatre avec toi\u00a0<\/em>(I really enjoy being with you) or, simply, Je te kiffe.<\/em><\/p>\n This phrase means \u201cI miss you,\u201d<\/a> but the literal translation is \u201cYou are missing from me.\u201d This sounds much more romantic than in English because it implies that the other person is a part of you\u2014and their absence makes you feel incomplete.<\/p>\n This is the phrase for asking someone out on a date (\u201cDo you want to go out with me?\u201d). It’s meant in a romantic context! When you\u2019re just looking to hang out with a friend, you can say Est-ce que tu veux passer du temps ensemble ? <\/em>instead.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re really smitten, then you might want to take the next step already. This is how you\u2019d ask in French, \u201cWould you want to be my boyfriend \/ girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n This means: \u201cI\u2019m in love with you.\u201d Just remember to use amoureux<\/em> if you\u2019re male and amoureuse<\/em> if you\u2019re female!<\/p>\n This translates to \u201cYou make me happy\u201d\u2014one of the best compliments you can give someone.<\/p>\n Fou or folle means \u201ccrazy,\u201d so this phrase is about being deeply infatuated or head over heels in love with the person: \u201cI\u2019m crazy about you.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a line that can make anyone swoon: \u201cYou are my soulmate.\u201d<\/p>\n This means, \u201cI think about you all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCrush\u201d is a loan word from English, and it\u2019s already pretty common in French. You can guess what this means: \u201cYou are my crush.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a more serious expression: \u201cYou’re the love of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n This takes je t\u2019aime<\/em> up a notch: \u201cI love you with all of my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n A lot of songs have been written about this expression, which means, \u201cI want to grow old by your side.\u201d<\/p>\n Joie de vivre<\/em> is a popular phrase in French, meaning “joy of living.” You can associate this with the pleasurable things in life, like good food, art, travel, hobbies\u2014and, of course, that special person who makes you very happy.<\/p>\n This translates to: \u201cI love spending time with you.\u201d<\/p>\n You can say this at the end of a date: \u201cI can\u2019t wait to see you again!\u201d<\/p>\n This means: \u201cYou are beautiful \/ gorgeous.\u201d Magnifique\u00a0<\/em>is a versatile French word for describing beauty\u2014you can also use it to describe scenery, an impressive performance or even an elegant hotel suite.<\/p>\n If someone means a lot to you, then you can tell them this: “I am grateful to have met you.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s another compliment in French: \u201cI think you are someone special.\u201d<\/p>\n This translates to \u201cI want to make you happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Aside from everyday French expressions<\/a>, knowing some timeless\u00a0sayings<\/a> will make you sound worldly and wise. Write your favorite ones down in a notebook and try to memorize them. Practice to make your pronunciation<\/a> perfect. Explore the literature of the writers that really speak to you in these quotes if you’re an advanced learner, and try reading some of their work.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>Two hearts in love need no words.<\/p>\n Desbordes-Valmore was a writer in the 19th Century. She wrote mostly poetry, which is considered to be deeply emotional. An\u00a0anthology of her poetry<\/a> is available.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.)<\/p>\n Blaise Pascal was the father of Pascal’s triangle. He did a lot of theological\/philosophical work, including “Pens\u00e9es<\/a>“<\/em> (thoughts).<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>The only true language in the world is a kiss.<\/p>\n Musset was also a writer in the 18th century. He wrote many novels, plays and poems<\/a>\u00a0which are worth a read.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.<\/p>\n George Sand was really a woman, Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin. She had affairs with Chopin and Musset and disobeyed many of society’s rules for women. She also wrote many plays and novels<\/a>.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>Love makes life’s sweetest pleasures and the most sensitive misfortunes.<\/p>\n Scudery was a female writer in the eighteenth century who was a feminist before her time. You can view her complete works here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>Love doesn’t mean gazing at each other, but looking, together, in the same direction.<\/p>\n Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry, the author of “Le Petit Prince”<\/em><\/a> (The Little Prince), was a writer and aviator of the early 20th century (hence many of his writings involve aircraft.) His work, especially “Le Petit Prince,”<\/em> is considered classic, and you can explore his other writings here<\/a>. If you enjoyed C.S Lewis, you will fall in love with St\u00a0Exup\u00e9ry’s\u00a0books.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>I see the world through rose-tinted glasses<\/p>\n Edith Piaf, the great cabaret singer sang mostly of love or sorrow. She had a hard and mostly tragic life despite her fame. Her music<\/a> can be a great place to start learning about love in French culture.<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>One missing person, and everything is empty.<\/p>\n Alphonse de Lamartine’s poignant words express the profound emptiness and longing that can result from the absence of a loved one. You can check out his books here<\/a>\u2014Victor Hugo was an admirer of his!<\/p>\n Translation: <\/strong>To love is to give everything and expect nothing in return.\u201d<\/p>\n Albert Camus is one of the most prominent (and romantic) French philosophers. One of his ideas<\/a> was that love, in its purest form, goes beyond personal gain, and we can find meaning in acts of genuine generosity without ulterior motives.<\/p>\n2.<\/strong> Ma puce<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
3.<\/strong> Ma bichette<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
4. Mon<\/strong> mignon<\/strong> \/ <\/em><\/strong>Mon mignonne<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Mon tr\u00e9sor<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Mon<\/strong> petit loup<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
7.<\/strong> Ma chaton<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
8.<\/strong> Mon lapin<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
9. Mon amour<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
10. Mon ch\u00e9ri<\/strong> \/ Ma ch\u00e9rie<\/em><\/h3>\n
11.<\/strong> Mon coeur<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
12.<\/strong> Mon doux \/ Ma douce<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
13.<\/strong> Mon sucre d’orge<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
14.<\/strong> Mon b\u00e9b\u00e9<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
15.<\/strong> Mon prince \/ Ma princesse<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
16.<\/strong> Ma moiti\u00e9<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
17.<\/strong> Mon \u00e9toile<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
18.<\/strong> Mon petit bijou<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
Romantic French Expressions<\/h2>\n
19. Je t’aime.<\/em><\/h3>\n
20. Je te kiffe.<\/em><\/h3>\n
21. Tu me manques.<\/em><\/h3>\n
22. Est-ce que tu veux sortir avec moi ?<\/em><\/h3>\n
23. Veux-tu \u00eatre mon petit ami <\/em>\/ <\/em>ma petite amie ?<\/em><\/h3>\n
24. Je suis amoureux \/ amoureuse de toi.<\/em><\/h3>\n
25. Tu me rends heureux \/ heureuse.<\/em><\/h3>\n
26. Je suis fou \/ folle de toi.<\/em><\/h3>\n
27. Tu es mon \u00e2me s\u0153ur.<\/em><\/h3>\n
28. Je pense \u00e0 toi tout le temps.<\/em><\/h3>\n
29. Tu es mon crush.<\/em><\/h3>\n
30. T’es l’amour de ma vie.<\/em><\/h3>\n
31. Je t’aime de tout mon c\u0153ur.<\/em><\/h3>\n
32. Je veux vieillir \u00e0 tes c\u00f4t\u00e9s.<\/em><\/h3>\n
33. Tu es ma joie de vivre.<\/em><\/h3>\n
34. J’adore passer du temps avec toi.<\/em><\/h3>\n
35. J’ai h\u00e2te de te revoir.<\/em><\/h3>\n
36. Tu es magnifique.<\/em><\/h3>\n
37. Je suis reconnaissant \/ reconnaissante de t’avoir rencontr\u00e9 \/ rencontr\u00e9e.<\/em><\/h3>\n
38. Je trouve que tu es quelqu’un de special.<\/em><\/h3>\n
39. J’ai envie de te rendre heureux\u00a0<\/em>\/ heureuse.<\/em><\/h3>\n
Wise French Sayings About Love<\/h2>\n
40. “Entre deux c\u0153urs qui s’aiment, nul besoin de paroles.”<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
41. “Le c\u0153ur a ses raisons que la raison ne conna\u00eet point.”<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
42.<\/strong> “Le seul<\/span> vrai<\/span> langage<\/span> au monde est un baiser<\/span>.”<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
43. “Il n’y a qu’un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’\u00eatre aim\u00e9.”<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
44.<\/strong> “L’amour fait les plus grandes douceurs et les plus sensibles infortunes de la vie.”<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
45.<\/strong> “Aimer, ce n’est pas se regarder l’un l’autre, c’est regarder ensemble dans la m\u00eame direction.”<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
46.<\/strong> “Je vois la vie en rose”<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
47. “Un seul \u00eatre vous manque et tout est d\u00e9peupl\u00e9.”<\/em><\/h3>\n
48. “Aimer, c’est tout donner et ne rien attendre en retour.”<\/em><\/h3>\n