plaisir coupable
The English phrase "guilty pleasure" is translated into French as plaisir coupable.
This noun phrase refers to something that brings pleasure but is considered taboo.
Meaning: something that brings pleasure but is considered taboo (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of the English term. plaisir means "pleasure" and coupable means "guilty".
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural version, plaisirs coupables, add an s to both the noun and the adjective.
Did you know?
- Although plaisir coupable is used today, it is a recent loan translation from English. Older French speakers might find it unnatural and instead use plaisir interdit, which means 'forbidden pleasure'.
- French has a specific word, jouissance, for a type of intense pleasure that is more physical or visceral than the general plaisir used in plaisir coupable.
- If you were to use coupable to describe a person in a legal sense, it carries a much heavier weight of criminal responsibility than the lighthearted English 'guilty' in 'guilty pleasure'.
Examples in context
- J'adore regarder des émissions de télé-réalité. C'est mon plaisir coupable chaque soir.I love watching reality TV shows. It's my guilty pleasure every evening.
- Elle mange souvent du chocolat en cachette. C'est son péché mignon.She often eats chocolate secretly. It's her guilty pleasure.
- Regarder des téléfilms de série B est mon petit plaisir coupable.Watching B-movie TV movies is my little guilty pleasure.
- La télé-réalité est mon plaisir coupable.Reality TV is my guilty pleasure.
- Chanter sous la douche est un plaisir coupable.Singing in the shower is a guilty pleasure.
- Ce chocolat noir est mon petit plaisir coupable.This dark chocolate is my little guilty pleasure.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their music tastes at a cafe.
- ManonTu écoutes quoi comme musique en ce moment ?What music are you listening to lately?
- LucasJ'écoute de la pop, c'est mon plaisir coupable.I listen to pop, it's my guilty pleasure.
- ManonMoi aussi, j'adore ces chansons ringardes !Me too, I love those cheesy songs!
- LucasOn peut en rire, l'essentiel est de s'amuser.We can laugh about it, the main thing is to have fun.
