How to Say “Chouette” in French

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chouette
/ʃwɛt/
In French, chouette can refer to a bird of prey or be used as an adjective meaning cool or great.
As a noun, chouette refers to a bird of prey characterized by large eyes and a flat face. In colloquial French, it is also used as an adjective to mean cool, great or nice.

Which one should you use?

While both chouette and hibou are often translated as 'owl' in English, they are distinct in French. chouette refers specifically to owls without ear tufts, whereas hibou refers to owls with ear tufts.

How do you pronounce it?

/ʃwɛt/

Did you know?

  • The evolution of the word may have been influenced by the word chou, a common term of endearment meaning 'cabbage' used for loved ones.
  • The colloquial use of chouette as 'great' is an old-fashioned charm that remains popular, unlike some other slang terms that go out of style quickly.

Examples in context

  • Une chouette vole dans la forêt.
    An owl flies in the forest.
  • J'ai vu une chouette ce soir.
    I saw an owl tonight.
  • La chouette a de grands yeux.
    The owl has large eyes.

Example conversation

Léa and Nathan are watching a nature documentary on TV.

  1. Léa

    Regarde cette chouette sur l'écran !
    Look at that owl on the screen!
  2. Nathan

    Elle est magnifique, la chouette.
    The owl is magnificent.
  3. Léa

    Est-ce que c'est une chouette blanche ?
    Is it a white owl?
  4. Nathan

    Non, c'est une chouette grise.
    No, it is a gray owl.

Sources

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Stella Cora
Stella CoraHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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