coccinelle
The French word for ladybug is coccinelle.
A coccinelle refers to a small, dome-shaped beetle characterized by red wing covers and black spots.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun coccinelle is feminine, so you use the indefinite article une to say une coccinelle (a ladybug). To refer to more than one, use the plural form coccinelles.
Did you know?
- While coccinelle is the standard term, you might hear the colloquial expression bête à bon Dieu, which translates to 'God's little beast'.
- The word coccinelle shares an etymological root with the English word 'crimson', as both trace back to the Latin 'coccum', referring to the kermes insect used to make red dye.
- In French folklore, the coccinelle is a symbol of good luck. It is common for people to believe that if one lands on you, you should make a wish before it flies away.
Examples in context
- Regarde la petite coccinelle rouge sur la feuille !Look at the little red ladybug on the leaf!
- Regarde cette petite coccinelle sur la feuille.Look at this little ladybug on the leaf.
- Une coccinelle est passée sur ma main.A ladybug crawled on my hand.
- J'ai dessiné une coccinelle rouge et noire.I drew a red and black ladybug.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are walking in a garden.
- ChloéNathan, regarde cette coccinelle !Nathan, look at this ladybug!
- NathanElle est vraiment mignonne, Chloé.It is really cute, Chloé.
- ChloéElle a beaucoup de points noirs.It has many black spots.
- NathanOui, elle est magnifique.Yes, it is beautiful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coccinelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
