Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| câlin | /ka.lɛ̃/ /kɑ.lɛ̃/ |
masculine |
| accolade | /a.kɔ.lad/ | feminine |
| embrassade | /ɑ̃.bʁa.sad/ | feminine |
| étreinte | /e.tʁɛ̃t/ | feminine |
These terms describe an affectionate embrace. While there are several ways to express this, the most common way to say you are giving a hug is to use the verb faire (to make/do) rather than donner (to give). For example, you would faire un câlin.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the emotional tone and context. Câlin refers to a warm, affectionate or cute hug and is the most common term used with children or romantic partners. Accolade is a formal term used in ceremonial or social contexts, often meaning a greeting or a formal embrace. Embrassade and étreinte are also feminine nouns used to describe an embrace.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The nouns for hug in this list have different genders: câlin is masculine, while accolade, embrassade and étreinte are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.lɛ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with the verb embrasser. While it looks like the English word 'embrace', in modern French it most commonly means 'to kiss' rather than 'to hug'.
When do people say it?
In many informal social settings, French people tend to greet each other with kisses on the cheeks rather than using hugs.
Did you know?
- The term accolade is the same word used in French to describe the medieval ceremony of knighting a warrior.
- While câlin is now used for hugs, the verb câliner originally focused on the act of coddling or pampering someone with tenderness.
- Because câlin is often associated with children and pets, using it with a stranger or a distant acquaintance can come across as overly intimate or childlike.
Examples in context
- Fais-lui un câlin !Give her a hug.This sentence shows how to use câlin when telling someone to give a hug to a female.Tatoeba #2270294 by sacredceltic, translation #2266686 by Hybrid
- Fais un câlin à Tom.Hug Tom.This sentence shows how to use câlin to express hugging a specific person named Tom.Tatoeba #6463239 by Aiji, translation #2203860 by CK
- Faites-lui un câlin !Give him a hug.This sentence shows the way to tell someone to give a hug to a male.Tatoeba #2270295 by sacredceltic, translation #2266687 by Hybrid
- Je vais te faire un câlin pour te réconforter.I will give you a hug to comfort you.
- Les petits-enfants ont serré leur grand-mère dans leurs bras pendant des heures.The grandchildren hugged their grandmother for hours.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A mother is comforting her son after a long day.
- ManonTu as besoin d'un câlin ?Do you need a hug?
- NathanOui, s'il te plaît.Yes, please.
- ManonViens ici pour ton câlin.Come here for your hug.
- NathanMerci, maman.Thanks, mom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hug” translations and entries câlin, accolade, embrassade, étreinte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
