choux
The French word choux refers to the small, light pastry dough used to make cream puffs and eclairs.
While choux is the term used for the pastry, when you are referring specifically to the dough itself in a culinary context, it is often called pâte à choux.
What does it mean word for word?
The word choux is the plural form of chou, which literally means 'cabbage'.
Did you know?
- The word choux is the essential building block of a croquembouche, a traditional wedding cake whose name literally means 'crunchy mouth'.
- The term chou is used as a romantic term of endearment, similar to 'sweetheart' or 'darling'. Calling a partner mon chou literally means calling them 'my cabbage'.
- In French, chou is also used in the idiom être chou, which means to be sweet or adorable. A person who does something thoughtful might be described as trop chou.
Examples in context
- Je vais acheter des choux à la crème pour le dessert.I'm going to buy some cream puffs for dessert.
- Les choux de Bruxelles sont délicieux s'ils sont bien cuisinés.Brussels sprouts are delicious if cooked properly.
- Je prépare une pâte à choux.I am making choux pastry.
- Cette pâte à choux est très légère.This choux pastry is very light.
- Il faut ajouter de l'eau à la pâte à choux.You must add water to the choux pastry.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are in a kitchen together.
- LucasEmma, as-tu de la pâte à choux ?Emma, do you have any choux pastry?
- EmmaOui, elle est dans le bol.Yes, it is in the bowl.
- LucasParfait, je vais faire des éclairs.Perfect, I am going to make eclairs.
- EmmaC'est une excellente idée, Lucas.That is an excellent idea, Lucas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry choux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
