poules
The English phrase 'hens' is translated into French as poules.
poules is the most common term used in French to refer to hens, which are female chickens typically kept for their eggs. If you are talking about the place where these birds live, the French word is poulailler (chicken coop).
Which one should you use?
While poules is the standard term, you may encounter poulettes, which is a sweet and colloquial way to refer specifically to young hens.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for hens is poules.
Did you know?
- In sports tournaments, the group stage is called la phase de poules, regardless of whether the sport involves animals.
- While poules means hens, the word poule can also refer to a police officer in very old French slang, similar to 'copper'.
- The expression une poule aux œufs d'or refers to a 'goose that lays the golden eggs'. Even though the idiom involves a goose, the French use the word for hen.
Examples in context
- Elles regarderont de belles poules.They will look at beautiful hens.This sentence shows how to use poules when describing looking at them.Tatoeba #5312244 by martin9, translation #11017186 by tjwhale
- Les poules sont dans le poulailler.The hens are in the chicken coop.This sentence shows how to use poules in relation to their habitat, the poulailler.Tatoeba #6060659 by christian63, translation #6060877 by colwem
- Jean et Jeanne ont regardé mes poules.Jean and Jeanne looked at my hens.This sentence shows how to use poules when indicating ownership.Tatoeba #5302066 by martin9, translation #11669955 by tieguy
- Les poules sont des animaux domestiques élevés pour leurs œufs et leur viande.Hens are domesticated animals raised for their eggs and meat.
- J'adore voir les poulettes picorer dans le jardin de mon grand-père.I love seeing the hens pecking around in my grandfather's garden.
- Viens ici, les cocottes, je vais vous donner à manger.Come here, hens, I'll give you some food.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking at the farm.
- LéaRegarde ces deux poules.Look at those two hens.
- NathanElles sont très mignonnes.They are very cute.
- LéaNathan, elles ont l'air d'avoir faim.Nathan, they look hungry.
- NathanJe vais leur donner du grain.I will give them some grain.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
