fesses
/fɛs/
The English phrase 'bunda' is translated into French as fesses.
The term fesses refers to the part of the body that a person sits on.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛs/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use the word 'bunda' in French, but 'bunda' is not a French word. The correct term for the buttocks is fesses.
Did you know?
- The vulgar term cul is so common in certain French expressions that it can even be used to describe 'the end' or 'the bottom' of an object, like a bottle.
- If you want to be more polite or child-friendly, you might use the word derrière instead, which literally translates to 'behind'.
- In many French children's songs and books, the word fesses is replaced by the much softer popotin to avoid any sense of vulgarity.
Examples in context
- J'ai mal aux fesses.My buttocks hurt.
- Il a de grosses fesses.He has big buttocks.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking about a hard wooden chair.
- GabrielCette chaise est vraiment trop dure.This chair is really too hard.
- ManonOui, j'ai mal aux fesses maintenant.Yes, my bottom hurts now.
- GabrielOn devrait mettre un coussin.We should put a cushion.
- ManonC'est une bonne idée, Gabriel.That is a good idea, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fesses, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
