madeleine
/mad.lɛn/feminine
The French word madeleine refers to the English term madeleine.
A madeleine is a small gateau in the shape of a scallop shell.
Meaning: small gateau in the shape of a scallop shell (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so you use the feminine article une or la when referring to a madeleine.
How do you pronounce it?
/mad.lɛn/
When do people say it?
In French literature and culture, the term is famously associated with Marcel Proust's 'madeleine moment', referring to a sensory experience that triggers a flood of involuntary memories.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase effet madeleine describes the psychological phenomenon where a smell or taste triggers a vivid memory, regardless of whether the trigger is actually a madeleine.
- While now a global treat, the madeleine is specifically linked to the town of Commercy in Lorraine, where it is said to have been invented in the 18th century.
- The shell shape of the madeleine is achieved by using a special molded pan, but traditional bakers insist on a 'hump' or 'bump' on top to prove the batter was mixed correctly.
Examples in context
- Beurrer les moules à madeleines, et verser la préparation dedans (mais pas jusqu'en haut, les madeleines vont gonfler !).Grease the madeleine molds and pour in the batter (but not all the way to the top, the madeleines will rise!)This sentence is useful for learning how to use madeleine when discussing baking instructions.Tatoeba #3559750 by Lebensfreude, translation #3559756 by Lebensfreude
- Voudrais-tu une petite madeleine ?Would you like a little madeleine?
- Un assortiment de madeleines sera servi cet après-midi.An assortment of madeleines will be served this afternoon.
- Je voudrais une madeleine, s'il vous plaît.I would like a madeleine, please.
- Cette madeleine est très moelleuse.This madeleine is very soft.
- Je vais manger une madeleine avec mon café.I am going to eat a madeleine with my coffee.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are having an afternoon snack at a cafe.
- ManonTu veux goûter cette madeleine ?Do you want to taste this madeleine?
- NathanOui, elle a l'air délicieuse.Yes, it looks delicious.
- ManonElle est très parfumée à la vanille.It is very scented with vanilla.
- NathanMerci Manon, c'est parfait.Thank you Manon, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madeleine” translations and entries madeleine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
