Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| joli | /ʒɔ.li/ |
| mignon | /mi.ɲɔ̃/ |
In French, the word you choose depends on whether you are describing visual beauty or an endearing quality. Use joli to describe something that is aesthetically pleasing or 'pretty'. Use mignon when something evokes affection, such as a child or a puppy, because it emphasizes being endearing, sweet or small.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can translate to 'cute' in English, they have different nuances. joli is closer to 'pretty' and focuses on visual pleasantness. In contrast, mignon specifically emphasizes a sense of being endearing or sweet.
How does it change in a sentence?
These adjectives change based on the gender and number of the noun they describe. For mignon, the feminine form is mignonne and the masculine plural form is mignons. For joli, the feminine form is jolie and the feminine plural form is jolies.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒɔ.li/
Did you know?
- French speakers use the word mignon to describe a specific cut of steak, the filet mignon, which translates literally as 'cute fillet'.
- In the court of King Henry II of France, the mignons were a specific group of royal favorites known for their elaborate fashion and close relationship with the king.
- The word mignon shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'mind', both coming from the Proto-Indo-European root 'men-' which means 'to think'.
Examples in context
- Quel mignon bébé !What a cute baby!This sentence uses mignon to express admiration for a baby.Tatoeba #1913080 by sacredceltic, translation #1912450 by CK
- Il est si mignon !He's so cute.This sentence uses mignon to describe a person's endearing quality.Tatoeba #1996268 by sacredceltic, translation #1339062 by CM
- Comme c'est mignon !How cute!This sentence uses mignon to react to something cute.Tatoeba #13011 by sacredceltic, translation #36097 by CM
- Un chat mignonA cute cat
- Une robe adorableAn adorable dress
- Un bébé charmantA charming baby
- Ton chien est vraiment mignon .Your dog is really cute.
- Cette robe est adorable .This dress is adorable.
- Elle a un bébé charmant .She has a charming baby.
- Ce chat est trop mignon .This cat is too cute.
- Il est vraiment chou ce bébé .This baby is really cute.
- Ta nouvelle coiffure est craquante .Your new hairstyle is adorable.
- 210 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are looking at a small-town boutique.
- NathanCette petite boutique est très jolie.This little boutique is very cute.
- ChloéOui, elle est vraiment charmante.Yes, it is really charming.
- NathanRegarde ce joli petit sac !Look at this cute little bag!
- ChloéIl est parfait pour toi, Nathan.It is perfect for you, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cute” translations and entries joli, mignon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries joli, mignon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
