coucou
/ku.ku/masculine
The English word cuckoo translates to the French noun coucou.
coucou refers to the cuckoo bird. It is also used informally as a greeting meaning 'hi' or 'hey'. Additionally, adults use the word when playing 'peek-a-boo' with infants.
Meaning: the bird (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
As a greeting, coucou is informal. The related verb coucouler means to make the call of a cuckoo.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
coucou is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku.ku/
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'cuckoo' which can be an adjective for 'mad', the French coucou lacks that specific metaphorical personality trait.
- In French, the word coucou is used to describe the act of appearing suddenly or popping in unexpectedly to visit someone.
- The term coucou is frequently used in text messages and social media as a cute, low-pressure way to start a conversation.
Examples in context
- Coucou ! Coucou ! Coucou !Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!This sentence shows the use of coucou as an exclamation.Tatoeba #10700323 by AutoBot, translation #10700326 by AutoBot
- Le coucou chante dans la forêt.The cuckoo is singing in the forest.
- J'ai vu un coucou dans le jardin.I saw a cuckoo in the garden.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are sitting in a park.
- LucasÉcoute, il y a un coucou !Listen, there is a cuckoo!
- LéaOù est cet oiseau, Lucas ?Where is that bird, Lucas?
- LucasIl est sur la branche là-bas.It is on that branch over there.
- LéaAh oui, je le vois maintenant.Ah yes, I see it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cuckoo” translations and entries coucou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
