chocolat chaud
/ʃɔ.kɔ.la ʃo/
In French, hot cocoa is called chocolat chaud.
The phrase chocolat chaud refers to a warm drink made from cocoa powder or melted chocolate and milk. When you are ordering a single serving in a cafe, it is common to use the indefinite article un before the phrase, forming un chocolat chaud.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chocolat (chocolate) and chaud (hot).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of France, the term chocolat à l'ancienne is used to refer to a traditional or old-fashioned style of hot cocoa.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the adjective chaud follows the noun chocolat and must agree in gender. Because chocolat is masculine, the adjective remains in its base form.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʃɔ.kɔ.la ʃo/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- Some French cafes offer a version that is thickened with cornstarch, creating a rich and pudding-like consistency rather than a liquid drink.
- In France, chocolat chaud is a staple of the goûter, a dedicated afternoon snack time that is culturally significant for both children and adults.
- The word chocolat is a linguistic traveler that links a modern French cafe drink directly to the ancient Aztec civilization through the Nahuatl word chocolātl.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, puis-je avoir un chocolat chaud, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, may I have a hot cocoa, please?
- Tu veux un chocolat?Do you want a hot cocoa?
- Je prendrai un chocolat viennois avec de la chantilly, s'il vous plaît.I'll have a Viennese hot cocoa with whipped cream, please.
- J'aimerais un chocolat à l'ancienne, s'il vous plaît.I would like an old-fashioned hot cocoa, please.
- Je voudrais un chocolat chaud, s'il vous plaît.I would like a hot cocoa, please.
- Un chocolat chaud est parfait pour l'hiver.A hot cocoa is perfect for winter.
- Est-ce qu'il reste du chocolat chaud ?Is there any hot cocoa left?
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are sitting in a cozy cafe.
- HugoTu veux boire quelque chose, Léa ?Do you want to drink something, Léa?
- LéaOui, je vais prendre un chocolat chaud.Yes, I am going to have a hot cocoa.
- HugoBonne idée, je vais prendre un café.Good idea, I will have a coffee.
- LéaC'est une très bonne idée, Hugo.That is a very good idea, Hugo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chocolat chaud, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaud, chocolat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
