insecte
/ɛ̃.sɛkt/masculine
The English word 'bug' can be translated into French as insecte. Wiktionary also lists petite bête.
Meaning: a colloquial name for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| insecte | /ɛ̃.sɛkt/ | masculine |
| petite bête | feminine |
The term is used as a colloquial name for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures.
Which one should you use?
insecte is the standard, more formal or scientific term for a bug, whereas petite bête is more colloquial.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
insecte is the formal way to refer to a bug in French. For an informal context, such as speaking to children or in a non-scientific setting, you can use petite bête, which means 'little bug' or 'little beast'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the term bibitte is used informally to refer to a bug.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
insecte is pronounced /ɛ̃.sɛkt/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the expression avoir la puce à l'oreille literally means 'to have a flea in the ear', but it is used to say someone has become suspicious.
- When French speakers talk about a 'bug' in a computer program, they rarely use insecte and instead use the English word 'bug' or the term bugue.
- The word bête can be used as an adjective to describe someone as 'stupid' or 'silly', moving far beyond its meaning as a 'beast' or 'bug'.
Examples in context
- Il a l'air d'un insecte.He looks like a bug.This sentence uses insecte to compare someone's appearance to a bug.Tatoeba #1148121 by sacredceltic, translation #1148007 by cntrational
- Il veut écraser l'insecte.He wants to squish the bug.This sentence uses insecte to describe the action of squishing a bug.Tatoeba #1121033 by sacredceltic, translation #1120848 by cntrational
- Cet insecte est dégoûtant.That bug is gross.This sentence uses insecte to describe a gross bug.Tatoeba #2445313 by gillux, translation #2440423 by MethodGT
- J'ai trouvé un insecte dans le jardin.I found a bug in the garden.
- Regarde cette petite bestiole ! Elle est trop mignonne.Look at this little bug! It's so cute.
- Cette bestiole agaçante ne cesse de me piquer !This annoying bug keeps on biting me!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are sitting in a garden.
- HugoManon, regarde cet insecte coloré !Manon, look at this colorful bug!
- ManonOh, il est vraiment très beau.Oh, it is really very beautiful.
- HugoEst-ce qu'il peut te piquer ?Can it sting you?
- ManonJe ne pense pas que cet insecte soit dangereux.I do not think this bug is dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bug” translations and entries insecte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
