bourge
/buʁʒ/
The English phrase "bougie" translates to the French adjective bourge, which pertains to or describes behaving like people of a higher social status.
Meaning: behaving like or pertaining to people of a higher social status (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
/buʁʒ/
Did you know?
- The term bourgeois was once a term of pride for residents of a bourg who had gained legal freedoms from feudal lords.
- In French, the feminine form of the full word is bourgeoise, but when using the slang clipping bourge, the word remains the same for both men and women.
- While 'bougie' in English often implies pretentiousness, using bourge in France can carry a sharper, more political connotation of class warfare.
Examples in context
- J'ai allumé une chandelle pour créer une ambiance.I lit a candle to create an ambiance.
- J'ai allumé une bougie pour créer une atmosphère romantique.I lit a candle to create a romantic atmosphere.
- Tu peux me passer une bougie pour éclairer la pièce ?Can you pass me a candle to light the room?
- Elle a un style très bourge.She has a very bougie style.
- C'est un quartier un peu bourge.It is a bit of a bougie neighborhood.
- Je ne veux pas paraître trop bourge.I don't want to seem too bougie.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are looking at a fancy restaurant menu.
- ChloéRegarde les prix, c'est super bourge !Look at the prices, it's super bougie!
- LucasC'est vrai, c'est beaucoup trop cher.It's true, it is much too expensive.
- ChloéOn devrait aller ailleurs, Lucas.We should go somewhere else, Lucas.
- LucasJe suis d'accord, trouvons un bistro simple.I agree, let's find a simple bistro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bourge, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
