biscuit
/bis.kɥi/masculine
The English word cookie is translated into French as biscuit.
The term biscuit refers to a small, flat baked good. In a general sense, it can describe a sweet cookie, a formal tea biscuit or even a savory cracker depending on the context.
Meaning: small, flat baked good (noun)
Which one should you use?
While biscuit is the general term for any such baked good, modern French speakers also frequently use the English word cookie to refer specifically to the American-style, soft and chunky chocolate chip variety.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cookie is used in an informal context to specify certain types of baked goods.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Brittany region of France, you may encounter the term Palet breton, which refers to a specific type of Breton biscuit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of biscuit is formed by adding an 's' to the end, resulting in biscuits.
How do you pronounce it?
/bis.kɥi/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The Palet breton is a thick, salty butter cookie from Brittany that is shaped like a 'palet', which is a disc used in the traditional game of quoits.
- Historically, biscuits were baked twice to remove moisture, making them hard enough to last for months on long sea voyages.
- In some culinary contexts, biscuit can refer to a sponge cake, such as the biscuit cuillère used to make charlottes.
Examples in context
- Prends un biscuit !Have a cookie.The sentence is useful for practicing an imperative to offer a biscuit.Tatoeba #4625946 by sacredceltic, translation #2245537 by CK
- Il prit un biscuit.He helped himself to a cookie.The sentence shows the use of biscuit in a past tense narrative.Tatoeba #12943713 by lbdx, translation #7383175 by CH
- Biscuit est mon chien.Cookie is my dog.The sentence demonstrates using biscuit as a proper noun for a pet's name.Tatoeba #3643736 by sacredceltic, translation #2280267 by CK
- J'adore les biscuits !I love cookies!
- Peux-tu me passer un biscuit, s'il te plaît ?Can you pass me a cookie, please?
- Est-ce que tu veux un petit gâteau ?Do you want a cookie?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are sharing a snack in the kitchen.
- ManonNathan, tu veux un biscuit ?Nathan, do you want a cookie?
- NathanOui, merci Manon !Yes, thanks Manon!
- ManonLe biscuit est très bon.The cookie is very good.
- NathanC'est vrai, il est excellent.It's true, it is excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cookie” translations and entries biscuit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
