fille coquine
The phrase "naughty girl" in French is fille coquine.
The phrase is used to describe a girl who is playfully mischievous or slightly flirtatious. While the English "naughty girl" can sometimes refer to a child behaving badly, fille coquine leans more towards being a cheeky or flirtatious person in adult contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
fille means girl and coquine means naughty or mischievous.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase fille coquine is used in an informal, often flirtatious or playful context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must change to filles coquines.
Did you know?
- In certain historical or highly informal contexts, the word fille can actually be a slang term for a prostitute. This stems from various euphemisms like fille de joie, meaning 'girl of joy'.
- While fille coquine sounds innocent, the adjective coquin originally referred to a rogue or a scoundrel. It has evolved from describing a dishonest person to someone who is merely playfully mischievous.
- The adjective coquin is often used as a term of endearment for small children in France, similar to calling a child 'rascal' or 'cheeky' in English.
Examples in context
- Marie est une jeune fille espiègle qui adore faire des farces à ses amis.Marie is a mischievous young girl who loves playing pranks on her friends.
- Julie est une coquine, toujours en train de taquiner les garçons avec un sourire espiègle.Julie is a naughty girl, always teasing the boys with a mischievous smile.
- Quelle petite fille coquine !What a little naughty girl!
- Tu es une fille coquine, n'est-ce pas ?You are a naughty girl, aren't you?
Example conversation
Emma is teasing Hugo during a dinner date.
- EmmaTu me regardes bizarrement, Hugo.You're looking at me strangely, Hugo.
- HugoC'est parce que tu es une fille coquine.It's because you are a naughty girl.
- EmmaMoi ? Je ne sais pas de quoi tu parles !Me? I don't know what you're talking about!
- HugoJe sais très bien que tu me taquines.I know very well that you're teasing me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
