mouchoir
/mu.ʃwaʁ/masculine
The French word for handkerchief is mouchoir.
mouchoir is the most generic and widely used term for a handkerchief in French. It refers to a cloth used for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands.
Meaning: cloth for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mouchoir is the general term, you may see more specific expressions. Use mouchoir en tissu to emphasize a fabric handkerchief, and use mouchoir en papier to refer specifically to a disposable paper handkerchief.
How does it change in a sentence?
mouchoir is a masculine noun. The plural form is mouchoirs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /mu.ʃwaʁ/.
Did you know?
- French etiquette traditionally considers it very impolite to blow your nose loudly into a mouchoir while at the dining table.
- The suffix -oir in mouchoir is used in French to create nouns that describe tools or places where an action happens, similar to how 'dryer' works in English.
- While mouchoir en papier is common, many French speakers simply use the brand name Kleenex as a generic noun for any disposable tissue.
Examples in context
- As-tu un mouchoir ?Do you have a handkerchief?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a mouchoir.Tatoeba #11965166 by lbdx, translation #6743383 by Eccles17
- Où est mon mouchoir ?Where is my handkerchief?This sentence is useful for asking the location of a mouchoir.Tatoeba #6780191 by felix63, translation #6900705 by kaiperkins271
- Il sortit son mouchoir.He took out his handkerchief.This sentence is useful for describing someone taking out a mouchoir.Tatoeba #1344981 by sacredceltic, translation #292454 by CK
- avez-vous un mouchoir en tissu?Do you have a fabric handkerchief?
- tiens, voici un mouchoir en papier.Here, take a paper handkerchief.
- Je recherche un mouchoir pour sécher mes larmes.I'm looking for a handkerchief to dry my tears.
- Son nez coule, il a vraiment besoin d'un mouchoir en papier.His nose is running, he really needs a paper handkerchief.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is crying after watching a sad movie at home.
- HugoTu as besoin d'un mouchoir ?Do you need a handkerchief?
- LéaOui, s'il te plaît, Hugo.Yes, please, Hugo.
- HugoTiens, voici un mouchoir propre.Here, here is a clean handkerchief.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, c'est gentil.Thank you very much, that is kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handkerchief” translations and entries mouchoir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
