genoux
/ʒə.nu/
The English word 'lap' (referring to the upper legs of a seated person) is translated into French as genoux.
The term genoux is used to describe the area of the upper legs when a person is sitting down.
Meaning: upper legs of a seated person (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ʒə.nu/.
Did you know?
- Because genoux refers to the knees, the French phrase for a 'lap dog' is often translated as chien de compagnie ('companion dog'), as there is no literal translation for a dog that sits on a lap.
- The word genou belongs to a small group of French nouns ending in -ou that take an x in the plural. Most other words ending in -ou, such as pou ('louse'), follow the standard rule and take an s.
- In French, the concept of a 'lap' is not a distinct anatomical region. Because genoux refers to the joints, French speakers often use the phrase sur les cuisses ('on the thighs') to be more precise about the upper leg area.
Examples in context
- Le chat ronfle sur mes genoux.The cat is snoring in my lap.The first sentence shows how to use genoux when describing a cat resting on your lap.Tatoeba #9976566 by Rovo, translation #9764372 by shekitten
- Le chat ronronne sur mes genoux.The cat is purring in my lap.The second sentence uses genoux to describe a cat purring in someone's lap.Tatoeba #10515270 by lbdx, translation #9976364 by shekitten
- Pose la serviette sur tes genoux.Lay the napkin across your lap.The third sentence demonstrates placing an object on one's genoux.Tatoeba #11274240 by lbdx, translation #318213 by CM
- Faites un tour du circuitTake a lap around the track
- Il s'est assis sur le giron de sa mèreHe sat on his mother's lap
- Viens t'asseoir sur mes cuissesCome sit on my lap
- Je veux m'asseoir sur tes genouxI want to sit on your lap
- Mon neveu est venu s'asseoir sur mes genoux pendant le spectacle.My nephew came to sit on my lap during the show.
- L'artiste a fait un tour de la salle en saluant ses fans.The artist took a lap around the room while greeting his fans.
- Viens t'asseoir sur mes cuisses, on va lire une histoire.Come sit on my lap, let's read a story.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are sitting on a park bench.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as froid aux genoux ?Are your knees cold?
- ChloéOui, pose ton sac sur mes genoux pour me réchauffer.Yes, put your bag on my lap to warm me up.
- HugoD'accord, je le pose ici.Okay, I'll put it here.
- ChloéMerci, Hugo.Thanks, Hugo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry genoux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
