taupe
/top/feminine
The English word 'mole' is taupe in French.
taupe refers to the burrowing insectivore. It is also used in the idiom myope comme une taupe, which means being extremely nearsighted (myopic like a mole).
Meaning: burrowing insectivore (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because taupe is a feminine noun, the indefinite article une is used to say 'a mole'.
How do you pronounce it?
/top/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'mole' to describe a dark spot on the skin, French speakers use the word grain de beauté instead, which literally means 'beauty grain'.
- In French culinary terms, 'mole' sauce from Mexico is referred to by its Spanish name mole and is never translated as taupe.
- In French espionage slang, a taupe is a term used for a 'mole' or a double agent working within an organization.
Examples in context
- La taupe creuse dans le sol.The mole burrows into the ground.Tatoeba #12368503 by lbdx, translation #6393210 by npvojtik
- Il est myope comme une taupe.He is blind as a mole.This sentence demonstrates the idiom for being extremely nearsighted using taupe.Tatoeba #1671288 by sacredceltic, translation #2721543 by Hybrid
- La taupe est un animal nocturne qui creuse des galeries souterraines.The mole is a nocturnal animal that digs underground tunnels.
- Votre dermatologue peut enlever un grain de beauté s'il se révèle suspect.Your dermatologist can remove a mole if it appears suspicious.
- Ma sœur a un petit grain sur sa joue droite, c'est mignon.My sister has a little mole on her right cheek, it's cute.
- J'ai aperçu une petite taupe dans le jardin.I spotted a small mole in the garden.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are looking at the garden after a heavy rain.
- EmmaRegarde ce petit trou, Lucas.Look at this little hole, Lucas.
- LucasC'est sûrement le passage d'une taupe.It is surely the passage of a mole.
- EmmaElle a creusé très profondément.She dug very deep.
- LucasLes taupes sont très actives aujourd'hui.Moles are very active today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mole” translations and entries taupe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
