cool
/kul/
The French word cool.
In the sense of 'fashionable' or 'excellent', the word 'cool' is an informal anglicism used in French. While 'cool' is used informally to mean 'great', use frais to describe a slightly low, pleasant temperature.
Meaning: having a slightly low temperature (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word cool is used by many French speakers, particularly younger generations. Superbe is a formal term used to express something cool or great. Épatant is a sophisticated word used to convey admiration or astonishment. Génial is a popular word used to express excitement or approval. Top is a casual expression used to describe something cool or excellent.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kul/
Did you know?
- The word génial is the most common way to say 'cool' when expressing approval. While it looks like the English word 'genial', it actually translates closer to 'brilliant' or 'genius'.
- The word top is used as an adjective in French to mean 'cool' or 'excellent', such as saying C'est top! In English, 'top' is usually a noun or a position, not a standalone adjective for quality.
- Although cool is an anglicism, it is often used by French speakers to maintain a neutral tone. It can be less intense than génial, which expresses a higher level of excitement.
Examples in context
- Ta mère est cool.Your mom is cool.This sentence shows how to use cool to describe a person.Tatoeba #12666692 by Olcyx, translation #3431205 by CK
- Ce n'est pas cool.This is not cool.This sentence demonstrates a negative application of cool.Tatoeba #392280 by qdii, translation #392279 by DJ_Saidez
- C’était trop cool !That was too cool!This sentence shows how to use cool to express excitement about an event.Tatoeba #6777568 by Blabla, translation #6900672 by kaiperkins271
- Le discours du président était véritablement épatant !The president's speech was truly amazing!
- J'ai entendu le nouvel album de ce groupe, il est vraiment génial !I heard the new album by this band, it's really cool!
- Ta nouvelle voiture est vraiment cool !Your new car is really cool!
- Le concert auquel j'ai assisté hier soir était top !The concert I attended last night was cool!
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing the weather outside.
- GabrielIl fait un peu cool aujourd'hui, non ?It's a bit cool today, isn't it?
- ChloéOui, j'ai pris un pull pour ça.Yes, I took a sweater for that.
- GabrielL'air est vraiment cool et frais.The air is really cool and fresh.
- ChloéC'est parfait pour marcher en ville.It's perfect for walking in the city.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cool, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
