pois
/pwa/
The French phrase for polka dots is pois.
pois refers to a pattern consisting of many small circles of the same size. In the context of fashion or patterns, it means polka dots, though it can also refer to the vegetable in a culinary context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pois is literally the plural form of the word for peas.
Which one should you use?
pois is used to refer to both singular and plural polka dot patterns. To specify a formal description such as 'pattern with dots', you can use Motif à pois.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing an object as having a polka dot pattern, use the preposition à before pois, such as in à pois.
How do you pronounce it?
/pwa/
Did you know?
- While 'polka dots' in English suggests a dance, the French pois has no connection to the polka dance. Instead, the French simply named the pattern after the vegetable it resembles.
- The French term plumetis is used alongside pois to describe much smaller, delicate dots often found in lace or embroidery. While pois implies larger circles, plumetis suggests a finer, more textured pattern.
- The word pois is an ancient term inherited from the Latin pisum, which itself came from the Ancient Greek písos.
Examples in context
- La mariée portait une robe en soie à pois.The bride was wearing a silk dress with polka dots.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a dress using pois.Tatoeba #10269425 by carlosalberto, translation #10269424 by carlosalberto
- En général, tu préfères les rayures ou les pois ?In general, do you prefer stripes or polka dots?This sentence is useful for comparing patterns using pois.Tatoeba #9454971 by carlosalberto, translation #9454961 by carlosalberto
- J'adore ta jupe avec les petits pois!I love your skirt with the polka dots!
- Je vais acheter une nouvelle chemise à pois.I'm going to buy a new polka dot shirt.
- J'ai acheté des chaussettes noires à pois.I bought black polka dot socks.
- Cette robe vintage a un imprimé à pois très élégant.This vintage dress has a very elegant polka dot print.
- Elle adore son chemisier à pois.She loves her polka dot blouse.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are looking at clothes in a shop.
- LucasRegarde cette jupe à pois !Look at this polka dot skirt!
- LéaElle est très mignonne, Lucas.It is very cute, Lucas.
- LucasTu penses qu'elle te va bien ?Do you think it suits you well?
- LéaOui, je vais l'essayer.Yes, I am going to try it on.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pois, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
