"Pamplemousse" and Other Beautiful French Phrases

Blog

May 28, 2022

By Sarah Angela Almaden

Unsplash: Daphné Be Frenchie

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And beautiful words, whatever they mean, are like poetry whispered by the most magical fairies in a garden full of the most beautiful flowers.

The concept of beauty is subjective. It comes from the idea that what we think, see, taste, hear, and smell is the most beautiful. As cliché as it sounds, there is beauty in everything. There is beauty in food and culture. There is beauty in learning something new. There is beauty in words. Don’t forget, there’s beauty in you!

And beautiful words are powerful, because they can steal your heart in the blink of an eye. The next thing you know, you're under a spell that no one can break, not even your loudest alarm clock.

So, if you want to be captivated by words without being completely hypnotized, learn some enchanting French phrases. After all, French is considered as one of the world's most romantic and melodic languages. And mastering a handful of whimsical words will only brighten your day while also improving your language skills. Allons-y!

Éblouissante

Pronunciation: e-blui-sa

This snazzy French term describes something dazzling, something striking and stunning, as well as witty and clever

Cartoon characters welcoming the new year by playing music

Giphy

Pamplemousse

Pronunciation: pam-pol-moos

“Pomplamoose” and “pamplemousse” may sound the same but they are totally different. One is a musical duo and the other is a fruit. Pamplemousse is your orangey-red and tarty grapefruit. Yum!

Giphy

Étoile

Pronunciation: ey-twal

Twinkle, twinkle little étoile. How I wonder what you are? Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little étoile.

Giphy / Mariah Carey

Juilletistes

Pronunciation: jwee-yee-teest

There are two types of vacationers in France: Juilletistes (Julyists) or Aoûtien (Augustian). Les Juilletistes are your July vacationers – the ones who are first to get away and first to return refreshed and sun-kissed while the rest of the country is getting ready to leave. Les Aoûtien are your August holiday-goers – the ones who wish to maximize summer to the fullest extent with friends and family of different generations.

Giphy / Maudit

Saperlipopette

Pronunciation: sa-per-lee-po-pet

OH MY GOODNESS! GOODNESS ME! GOOD HEAVENS! GOLLY GOSH! FIDDLESTICKS!

Giphy / NASA

Feuilleter

Pronunciation: fuy-teh

Feuilleter is a verb meaning to leaf through. Or to read casually. La di da. Read. Hop. Skip. Read. La di da.

Giphy / Quote Catalog

Grenouille

Pronunciation: gre-noo-wee

These creatures are slimy and sometimes green. They also croak and ribbit for most of the night. And storybooks say that if you kiss this amphibian, it will turn into a handsome prince and you will live happily ever after. Get the riddle yet? Ribbit.

Giphy

Chérie (Feminine) / Chéri (Masculine)

Pronunciation: sheh-ree

If you need another term of endearment for your special person you can count on ma chérie (feminine) or mon chéri (masculine) which means my darling or my sweetheart or my dear. Isn’t that sweet? Swoon.

Giphy / NickRewind

Onirique

Pronunciation: o-ni-rik

When something is dreamy or dreamlike, you can count on onirique to describe that for you. Interestingly, the French word comes from a Greek word that means dream.