couche
/kuʃ/feminine
The English word "diaper" is translated into French as couche. Wiktionary also lists couche-culotte.
Meaning: absorbent garment for waste material (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| couche | /kuʃ/ | feminine |
| couche-culotte | /kuʃ.ky.lɔt/ | feminine |
The term refers to an absorbent garment used for waste material. To express the act of changing a diaper, use the standard phrase changer la couche.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun couche is feminine, meaning it is used with feminine articles such as la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuʃ/
Did you know?
- The word couche is derived from the verb coucher, which means 'to lay' or 'to put to bed'.
- In French, a couche also refers to a layer of something, such as a 'layer' of paint or a 'layer' of soil.
- In some regions, you might hear couche-culotte, which literally combines the word for 'diaper' and 'panty/knicker'.
Examples in context
- Je dois changer la couche du bébé.I need to change the baby's diaper.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to change a baby's couche.Tatoeba #9840723 by lbdx, translation #2429177 by MethodGT
- Layla changea la couche de son bébé.Layla changed her baby's diaper.This sentence is useful for describing the act of changing a baby's couche.Tatoeba #7280708 by tras, translation #7279873 by OsoHombre
- Ton bébé a fait pipi dans sa couche.Your child peed in his diaper.This sentence is useful for noting that a baby has peed in their couche.Tatoeba #9840716 by lbdx, translation #2761986 by mervert1
- Je dois changer la couche de mon bébéI need to change my baby's diaper
- Je vais changer la couche-culotte de mon petit bout de chouI'm going to change my little one's diaper
- Mon bébé ne supporte pas les couches, alors je préfère les langesMy baby doesn't tolerate diapers, so I prefer using cloth
- Veuillez m'apporter une nouvelle couche pour le nourrisson, s'il vous plaît.Please bring me a fresh diaper for the infant
- Tu peux jeter la couche-culotte sale dans la poubelle prévue à cet effet.You can throw the dirty diaper in the designated trash bin
- Mes aïeux utilisaient des langes en tissu pour leurs enfants.My ancestors used cloth diapers for their children
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are preparing for a trip with their baby.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as pris une couche ?Did you take a diaper?
- ChloéOui, j'ai mis la couche dans le sac.Yes, I put the diaper in the bag.
- GabrielIl nous faut aussi des lingettes.We also need some wipes.
- ChloéD'accord, je vais les chercher.Okay, I will go get them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diaper” translations and entries couche, couche-culotte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
