grincheux
/ɡʁɛ̃.ʃø/
The English phrase cranky can be translated into French as grincheux. Wiktionary also lists chafouin.
Meaning: grouchy, irritable, easily upset (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| grincheux | /ɡʁɛ̃.ʃø/ |
| chafouin | /ʃa.fwɛ̃/ |
The word is used to describe someone who is grouchy, irritable or easily upset.
Which one should you use?
While grincheux implies being irritable or grouchy, chafouin often carries a connotation of being surly or having a shifty, untrustworthy expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of grincheux is grincheuse, and the feminine plural form is grincheuses. For the masculine plural, use grincheux, which is the same as the singular masculine form.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ɡʁɛ̃.ʃø/', 'syllables': 2}
Did you know?
- French speakers might use the expression être d'une humeur de chien (to be in a dog's mood) to describe someone who is extremely grincheux.
- The word grincheux is the name of the French version of the character 'Grumpy' from the Seven Dwarfs in Disney films.
- Someone who is consistently grincheux might be called a râleur, a noun for a person whose national hobby is complaining about everything.
Examples in context
- Je ne suis pas grincheux.I'm not cranky.This sentence is useful for saying you are not cranky using grincheux.Tatoeba #4841744 by sacredceltic, translation #2248136 by CK
- Le bébé est grincheux parce qu'il fait ses dents.The baby is cranky because it's teething.This sentence is useful for describing a baby that is cranky using grincheux.Tatoeba #801008 by sacredceltic, translation #729861 by darinmex
- Il est souvent maussade le matin.He is often cranky in the morning.
- Je suis un peu grognon aujourd'hui.I am a bit grumpy today.
- Elle est très râleuse quand elle est fatiguée.She gets very cranky when she's tired.
- Ne sois pas bougon tout le temps!Don't be grumpy all the time!
- Il est grincheux quand il a faim.He is cranky when he is hungry.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about their neighbor's mood.
- GabrielPourquoi est-il si grincheux ce matin ?Why is he so cranky this morning?
- LéaIl n'a pas bien dormi.He didn't sleep well.
- GabrielC'est vrai qu'il est désagréable.It's true that he is unpleasant.
- LéaNe lui parle pas pour l'instant.Don't talk to him for now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cranky” translations and entries grincheux, chafouin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
