chocolat noir
/ʃɔ.kɔ.la nwaʁ/
Dark chocolate in French is chocolat noir.
The term refers to chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa and little to no milk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'black chocolate' because noir means 'black'.
Which one should you use?
While chocolat noir is the standard way to say dark chocolate, it is contrasted with chocolat au lait for milk chocolate and chocolat blanc for white chocolate.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɔ.kɔ.la nwaʁ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word chocolat entered French via Spanish, but its ultimate origin is the Classical Nahuatl word chocolātl from ancient Mexico.
- While chocolat noir is the food, the French use the word noir to describe the 'black' coffee known as un café noir, which is served without milk.
- In French, the term chocolat noir is often used to imply a more sophisticated or bitter flavor profile, whereas in English, 'dark' can sometimes be perceived more simply as a color descriptor.
Examples in context
- J'aime le chocolat noir.I like dark chocolate.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for chocolat noir.Tatoeba #5606114 by sacredceltic, translation #2901149 by Hybrid
- Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat noir ?Do you like dark chocolate?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes chocolat noir.Tatoeba #10709114 by lbdx, translation #10708244 by sundown
- Je préfère le chocolat blanc au chocolat noir.I prefer white chocolate to dark chocolate.This sentence is useful for comparing white chocolate to chocolat noir.Tatoeba #3314835 by Malape, translation #3317035 by Vanilla
- Vous avez du chocolat noir ?Do you have any dark chocolate?
- Je préfère le chocolat amer.I prefer dark chocolate.
- Tu préfères le chocolat noir ou le chocolat au lait ?Do you prefer dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
- J'aime déguster du chocolat noir après le dîner.I enjoy having dark chocolate after dinner.
- Le chocolat noir est bon pour la santé en quantités modérées.Dark chocolate is good for your health in moderation.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are shopping at a grocery store.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il reste du chocolat noir ?Is there any dark chocolate left?
- LucasOui, il y a du chocolat noir ici.Yes, there is some dark chocolate here.
- LéaParfait, j'en achète un peu pour moi.Perfect, I'll buy a little for myself.
- LucasC'est un excellent choix, Léa.That is an excellent choice, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chocolat noir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocolat, noir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
