curieux
/ky.ʁjø/
The English phrase "curious" is translated into French as curieux.
curieux is used to describe someone who is inquisitive, tending to ask questions or wanting to explore and investigate. In French, it can also mean something that is strange or odd, whereas in English the word is primarily used for the inquisitive sense.
Meaning: tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate (adj)
Which one should you use?
While the primary meaning is inquisitive, be aware that curieux can also mean 'strange' or 'odd' in certain contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must be modified to match the gender and number of the subject. The masculine singular form is curieux, and this same form is also used for the masculine plural. The feminine singular form is curieuse, and the feminine plural form is curieuses.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ky.ʁjø/ and is composed of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While curieux describes an inquisitive person, the phrase la curiosité est un vilain défaut suggests that curiosity is a 'nasty flaw' or a bad trait.
- The French word curiosité is used to describe a 'cabinet of curiosities' (cabinet de curiosités), which were the precursors to modern museums.
- The Latin root of curieux is the same root found in the English word 'care', implying that to be curious is to be 'full of care' or 'attentive' to details.
Examples in context
- Ça me rend curieux.It makes me curious.This sentence shows how something can make a person feel curieux.Tatoeba #1021035 by sacredceltic, translation #3636156 by CK
- Tu es fort curieux.You're very curious.This sentence describes someone being very curieux.Tatoeba #2228711 by sacredceltic, translation #2218479 by CK
- Il est très curieux.He's very curious.Tatoeba #6008436 by Fabimoto, translation #1981502 by Spamster
- Marie est une personne très curieuse.Marie is a very curious person.
- Les étudiants sont désireux de savoir comment réussir l'examen.The students are curious to know how to pass the exam.
- Je suis intrigué par cette énigme.I am curious about this riddle.
- Louise est curieuse comme une pie, elle veut tout savoir sur nos voisins.Louise is curious as a magpie, she wants to know everything about our neighbors.
- Je suis vraiment curieux de découvrir ce qu'il y a dans cette boîte.I am really curious to find out what's inside this box.
- Le nouveau voisin a l'air très curieux.The new neighbor seems very curious.
- Nous étions tous intrigués par le mystère qui entourait cette histoire.We were all intrigued by the mystery surrounding this story.
- Elle est désireuse de savoir ce qui s'est passé.She is eager to know what happened.
- Tu es vraiment curieux comme une pie, toujours fourré dans les affaires des autres.You are really curious as a magpie, always meddling in other people's business.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are talking about a new neighbor.
- ManonTu es curieux de savoir qui elle est ?Are you curious to know who she is?
- HugoOui, je suis très curieux.Yes, I am very curious.
- ManonElle a l'air très sympathique.She looks very nice.
- HugoOn ira lui parler bientôt.We will go talk to her soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curious” translations and entries curieux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curieux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
