difficile
/di.fi.sil/
The English phrase 'picky eater' can be translated into French as difficile.
When describing a person's eating habits, difficile is used as a shorthand for being 'difficult' with food. You can also use the literal noun phrase un mangeur difficile to mean 'a picky eater'.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While difficile is often used alone as an adjective, un mangeur difficile is the literal noun phrase for 'a picky eater'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word difficile is an adjective that remains the same for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/di.fi.sil/ (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- While difficile describes a picky eater, the French have a specific term, un gourmet, for someone who is picky because they have a refined palate. Confusing the two can change a criticism into a compliment.
- In France, a child who is difficile at the table may be described as faire la grimace, which means 'to make a face'. This emphasizes the visual reaction of disgust rather than just the habit of being picky.
- When describing an extremely picky eater who refuses almost everything, French speakers might use the word capricieux, which implies the person is acting on a whim or a 'caprice'.
Examples in context
- Cet enfant est difficile en ce qui concerne la nourriture.That child is a picky eater.This sentence shows how to use difficile to describe a child's relationship with food.Tatoeba #2946391 by sacredceltic, translation #2981455 by pne
- Elle est difficile.She's a picky eater.This sentence uses difficile to describe a person's eating habits.Tatoeba #8823978 by Aiji, translation #6092643 by mailohilohi
- Mon collègue est difficile en matière de nourriture. Il ne mange que des plats préparés à la maison.My colleague is a picky eater. He only eats homemade meals.
- Ma sœur est une mangeuse difficile. Elle n'aime pas les légumes verts.My sister is a picky eater. She doesn't like green vegetables.
- Mon frère est très difficile avec les légumes.My brother is a very picky eater with vegetables.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- NathanOn va dans ce nouveau restaurant italien ?Are we going to this new Italian restaurant?
- ChloéJe ne sais pas, Nathan, tu sais que je suis difficile.I don't know, Nathan, you know I am a picky eater.
- NathanMais ils ont beaucoup de plats simples.But they have many simple dishes.
- ChloéD'accord, on peut essayer quand même.Okay, we can try it anyway.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “picky eater” translations and entries difficile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
