Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| couilles | /kuj/ | feminine, plural |
| burnes | /byʁn/ | feminine, plural |
| roustons | masculine, plural | |
| balloches | feminine, plural | |
| valseuses | feminine, plural |
This term refers to testicles. Idiomatically, just like in English, the phrase avoir des couilles is used to describe someone having courage or bravery.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary in gender and nuance: couilles, burnes, balloches and valseuses are all feminine plural, while roustons is masculine plural. For a formal and direct translation, use les testicules or use the euphemism les parties intimes masculines in formal contexts. For informal and humorous variations, you can use les roubignoles or the expression les bijoux de famille (family jewels).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default term couilles is vulgar slang and should be avoided in polite or formal conversation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In a negative sentence, the plural partitive des changes to de before couilles, as seen in the phrase Il n’a pas de couilles.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuj/
Did you know?
- In French slang, calling someone une couille can refer to a clumsy person or a 'screw-up' rather than their physical anatomy.
- The term valseuses is a playful way to refer to testicles, derived from the verb valser, which means 'to waltz'. The implication is that the organs 'dance' inside the scrotum.
- While English speakers use 'balls' to denote bravery, saying avoir des couilles in French is considered significantly more vulgar and carries a much harsher social weight in a professional setting.
Examples in context
- Il a des couilles.He's got balls.This sentence shows how to express that someone has courage using couilles.Tatoeba #14044588 by Myrano_, translation #14044589 by Myrano_
- T'as pas les couilles.You don't have the balls.This sentence uses couilles to say someone lacks courage.Tatoeba #6176955 by sacredceltic, translation #6607227 by shekitten
- Il n’a pas de couilles.He's got no balls.This sentence demonstrates the grammatical change to de in a negative sentence using couilles.Tatoeba #10630560 by AutoBot, translation #10630559 by AutoBot
- Arrête de parler tout le temps des 'couilles,' tu fais rire tout le monde!Stop talking about "balls" all the time, you're making everyone laugh!
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is bragging about a risky stunt he wants to do.
- NathanJe vais sauter du pont, regarde mes couilles !I'm going to jump off the bridge, look at my balls!
- ManonArrête de dire des bêtises, Nathan.Stop talking nonsense, Nathan.
- NathanQuoi ? Tu crois que je n'ai pas les couilles ?What? You think I don't have the balls?
- ManonJe crois que tu es juste idiot.I think you are just an idiot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “balls” translations and entries couilles, burnes, valseuses, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
