pépin
/pe.pɛ̃/masculine
The English word "pip" is translated into French as pépin.
pépin refers to the small seeds found inside various fruits.
Meaning: seed (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use pépin specifically for the small seeds found in fruits such as grapes, apples or citrus. In contrast, the word noyau is used for larger, harder seeds or pits, such as those found in cherries or peaches.
How does it change in a sentence?
pépin is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pe.pɛ̃/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase un pépin can also be a slang term for a problem or a small misfortune, such as a mechanical failure in a car.
- There is a whimsical theory that the term may be linked to a famous vaudeville character known for carrying a large umbrella.
- While pépin describes the seeds of an apple or grape, French uses the word grain for cereal seeds like wheat and corn.
Examples in context
- Attention, ne mange pas ce kiwi sans retirer les pépins.Be careful, don't eat this kiwi without removing the seeds.
- Les enfants aiment cracher les graines quand ils mangent des raisins.Children enjoy spitting out the pips when eating grapes.
- Il y a des pépins dans cette pomme.There are seeds in this apple.
- Il y a un pépin dans cette pomme.There is a pip in this apple.
- Elle a retiré chaque pépin du fruit.She removed every pip from the fruit.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are eating fruit in the kitchen.
- GabrielFais attention, il y a un pépin dans ta poire.Be careful, there is a pip in your pear.
- EmmaMerci Gabriel, je ne l'avais pas vu.Thanks Gabriel, I hadn't seen it.
- GabrielVeux-tu que je retire les autres pépins ?Do you want me to remove the other pips?
- EmmaNon merci, c'est gentil, mais ça va.No thanks, that is kind, but it is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pip” translations and entries pépin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pépin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
