doux
/du/
The English word 'mild' can be translated into French as doux.
The word doux is polysemous and can mean mild (weather), sweet (taste) or soft (texture/sound) depending on the context. The phrase Pas trop fort is used to describe a mild flavor or intensity.
Meaning: not sharp or bitter, not strong in flavor (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form of doux is also doux. The feminine form of doux is douce, the feminine plural form is douces.
How do you pronounce it?
/du/
Did you know?
- The word doux shares an unexpected ancestry with the English word 'dulcet', often used to describe pleasant sounds.
- The phrase en douceur is used to describe doing something 'mildly' or 'smoothly', often meaning to handle a situation without conflict.
- In a culinary context, if a dish is 'too mild' or lacks character, a French person might say it is fade instead of doux.
Examples in context
- Le temps était doux.The weather was mild.This sentence is useful for describing weather using doux.Tatoeba #11951226 by Julien_PDC, translation #11951600 by zogwarg
- Le climat ici est doux.The climate here is mild.This sentence is useful for describing a climate using doux.Tatoeba #1292301 by sacredceltic, translation #61699 by CK
- L'automne fut long et doux.The autumn was long and mild.This sentence is useful for describing the autumn using doux.Tatoeba #942518 by U2FS, translation #942292 by spockofvulcan
- Le temps est doux aujourd'huiThe weather is mild today
- C'est une région au climat tempéréIt is a region with a mild climate
- Le soleil brille et il fait tout douxThe sun is shining, and it's nice and mild
- Ce café est pas trop fort, il est douxThis coffee isn't too strong, it's mild
- Aujourd'hui, le vent est doux et agréable, ce qui rend la promenade très plaisante.Today, the wind is mild and pleasant, making the walk very enjoyable.
- Ma grand-mère prépare toujours des plats épicés, mais cette fois-ci elle a fait une sauce tomate tout douce.My grandmother always prepares spicy dishes, but this time she made a nice and mild tomato sauce.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are tasting a homemade sauce in the kitchen.
- NathanC'est très bon, mais c'est un peu doux.It is very good, but it is a bit mild.
- EmmaTu préfères quand c'est plus épicé ?Do you prefer it when it's spicier?
- NathanOui, j'aime quand c'est bien relevé.Yes, I like it when it's well seasoned.
- EmmaD'accord, je rajouterai du piment la prochaine fois.Okay, I will add some chili next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry doux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
