frisquet
The French word for chilly is frisquet.
Use frisquet to describe weather or ambient temperatures that are cold enough to cause discomfort. When describing the weather, it is common to use the impersonal construction Il fait followed by the adjective, such as in the phrase Il fait frisquet.
Meaning: cold enough to cause discomfort (adj)
Which one should you use?
While froid is the general term for cold, frisquet specifically implies a slight, often unpleasant chill that is less intense than froid.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, mordant can be used to describe a biting or stinging cold.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the masculine plural, add an -s to the adjective, resulting in frisquets.
Did you know?
- The word frisquet likely shares an ancestor with the English word 'fresh'. Both stems trace back to Germanic roots meaning 'cool' or 'brisk'.
- The adjective frisquet is specifically used for air or temperature and cannot be used to describe a person feeling a chill, such as saying 'I am chilly' as Je suis frisquet.
- While frisquet describes the weather, the word frais can describe the temperature as well as the crisp taste of a vegetable or a piece of news.
Examples in context
- Il fait frisquet ce matin !It's chilly this morning!This sentence is useful for expressing that it is chilly in the current morning.Tatoeba #8654100 by Julien_PDC, translation #11951573 by zogwarg
- Il faisait frisquet ce jour-là.It was chilly that day.This sentence is useful for describing how chilly it was on a specific day in the past.Tatoeba #1292240 by sacredceltic, translation #44592 by CK
- La température est assez fraîche aujourd'hui.The temperature is quite chilly today.
- Il fait froid dans cette pièce.It's chilly in this room.
- Sortez vos manteaux, il fait un peu frisquet dehors.Get your coats, it's a bit chilly outside.
- Il fait vraiment frais aujourd'hui.It's really chilly today.
- La sensation de froid me glace les os.The feel of the cold chills my bones.
- Le vent pénètre jusqu'à la moelle.The wind cuts to the marrow.
- Il fait plus frais aujourd'hui qu'hier.It's chillier today than yesterday.
- L'air est un peu frisquet dehors.The air is a bit chilly outside.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are getting ready to go for a walk in the park.
- EmmaTu as pris une veste ? Il fait frisquet.Did you take a jacket? It's chilly.
- LucasOui, j'ai mon manteau sur moi.Yes, I have my coat on me.
- EmmaParfait, je ne veux pas attraper froid.Perfect, I don't want to catch a cold.
- LucasOn y va alors, Emma.Let's go then, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frisquet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
