beurk
/bœʁk/
The French word for "eww" is beurk.
beurk is a common and versatile way to express disgust informally, similar to "yuck" in English. Other exclamations include Pouah, which expresses both disgust and aversion, similar to the English "ugh." and Beuh, which is used to show contempt or distaste, especially towards disgusting food or bad smells.
How do you pronounce it?
/bœʁk/
Did you know?
- In French, the word dégoût for 'disgust' is closely linked to the verb goûter, meaning 'to taste'. This suggests the linguistic origin of disgust is rooted in the sense of taste.
- Using beurk to describe a person's behavior or personality can sound quite childish, almost like something a toddler would say.
- The sound of beurk is designed to mimic the involuntary physical reaction of gagging or choking on something unpleasant.
Examples in context
- Les toilettes étaient dégoûtantes.The toilets were disgusting.
- C'est répugnant de voir autant de saleté.It's revolting to see so much dirt.
- Beurk, je déteste les escargots !Yuck, I hate snails!
- Pouah, c'est vraiment dégueulasse !Ugh, that's really gross!
- Beuh, cette odeur est insupportable !Eww, this smell is unbearable!
- Beurk, ce lait est périmé !Eww, this milk is expired!
- Beurk, je n'aime pas les épinards.Eww, I don't like spinach.
- Beurk, il y a une araignée !Eww, there is a spider!
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a piece of rotten fruit in the kitchen.
- LéaRegarde ce fruit, Lucas.Look at this fruit, Lucas.
- LucasBeurk, il est tout noir !Eww, it is all black!
- LéaC'est vraiment dégoûtant.It is truly disgusting.
- LucasJe vais le jeter.I am going to throw it away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beurk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
