Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cucul | /ky.ky/ | colloquial |
| mièvre | /mjɛvʁ/ |
The term is used to describe things that are excessively sentimental, silly or childish. You may also use ringard informally to describe something as corny, outdated or old-fashioned.
Which one should you use?
cucul is a colloquial term for something silly or overly sentimental, whereas mièvre is a more formal and literary way to describe something as excessively sentimental or sappy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cucul is a colloquial term. For a more formal or literary tone, use mièvre. Additionally, the slang expression cucul la praline is used as an intensifier to emphasize that something is extremely corny or ridiculous.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cucul is invariable in gender, so it does not change to match a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word cucul is pronounced /ky.ky/ and has 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
The colloquial idiom cucul la praline is used to describe something as being excessively sweet, sentimental or naive.
Did you know?
- The word cucul is actually a playful, doubled-up version of the French word for 'bottom' or 'butt', which is cul.
- The expression cucul la praline adds a 'praline' (a sugar-coated almond) to the phrase to emphasize a sugary, cloying sweetness.
- Using mièvre in a casual conversation with friends can make the speaker sound unexpectedly pretentious or like a character from a 19th-century novel.
Examples in context
- C’est cucul la praline.That's really corny.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that something is really corny using cucul.Tatoeba #10687115 by AutoBot, translation #13714282 by zogwarg
- Ce tableau est vraiment kitsch !This painting is really corny!
- Son discours était trop sentimental à mon goût.His speech was too corny for my taste.
- Ce film des années 80 est vraiment ringard !This 80s movie is really corny!
- Son cadeau était vraiment cucul la praline, mais j'ai apprécié l'intention.His gift was really corny, but I appreciated the intention.
- C'est un peu cucul, non ?It's a bit corny, isn't it?
- J'ai trouvé ce film vraiment cucul.I found this movie really corny.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing a romantic song on the radio.
- ChloéCette chanson est tellement cucul !This song is so corny!
- NathanJe ne suis pas d'accord, elle est mignonne.I don't agree, it's cute.
- ChloéElle est juste trop cucul pour moi.It is just too corny for me.
- NathanTu es vraiment difficile, Chloé.You are really difficult, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corny” translations and entries cucul, mièvre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cucul, mièvre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
