fesses
/fɛs/
The English phrase "booty cheeks" is translated into French as fesses.
fesses refers to the two rounded, fleshy parts that make up the buttocks.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛs/
Did you know?
- In French, the expression se casser le cul means to work incredibly hard or to exhaust oneself. It translates literally to 'breaking one's backside'.
- In French, calling someone a cul terreux is a way to call them a 'dirtbag' or a lowlife. While the word for the backside is used, the phrase carries a social weight of being a person of poor character.
- If you are looking for a way to sound much more juvenile or 'cute', you can replace fesses with popotin. It is the equivalent of a child saying 'bottom' or 'tushie' in English.
Examples in context
- Je me suis assis sur mes fesses.I sat on my buttocks.
- Elle a de jolies fesses.She has pretty buttocks.
- Mes fesses me font mal après la course.My buttocks hurt after running.
- Il porte un pantalon qui moule ses fesses.He is wearing pants that hug his buttocks.
Example conversation
Léa is helping Gabriel stretch after a workout.
- GabrielJ'ai des courbatures partout, surtout dans les fesses.I have muscle soreness everywhere, especially in my buttocks.
- LéaC'est normal, Gabriel, tu as beaucoup travaillé.It is normal, Gabriel, you worked hard.
- GabrielOui, mais ça fait vraiment mal.Yes, but it really hurts.
- LéaRepose-toi un peu, ça passera.Rest a little, it will pass.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fesses, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
