doux
/du/
The English phrase "dulce" translates to the French word doux.
doux is used to describe a taste that is sweet. It can also be used to describe things that are mild or soft, such as a texture, a temperature or the weather.
Which one should you use?
While doux describes something sweet in a general sense, the word sucré is used specifically to describe something that tastes of sugar or is very sugary. Additionally, doux can refer to a sweet taste or to something that is mild or soft.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective doux is used for masculine singular and masculine plural nouns. The feminine form of the adjective is douce.
How do you pronounce it?
/du/
Did you know?
- In French, describing a person as doux does not mean they taste sweet, but rather that they have a gentle, kind, or calm temperament.
- In French wine terminology, doux is the technical term for the sweetest category of wine, appearing on labels to indicate high residual sugar.
- The French word doux is a direct descendant of the Latin 'dulcem', which is the root for the English word 'dulcet'.
Examples in context
- Ce caramel est très sucréThis caramel is very sweet
- Miam, ce gâteau est super bon!Yum, this cake is really good!
- Un parfum doux et sucré.A sweet and sugary scent.
- Le miel a un goût doux.Honey has a sweet taste.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are tasting a dessert.
- LéaGoûte ce chocolat, Lucas !Taste this chocolate, Lucas!
- LucasC'est vraiment très doux.It is really very sweet.
- LéaTu aimes quand c'est doux ?Do you like it when it's sweet?
- LucasOui, j'adore ça.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry doux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
