coquelicot
/kɔ.kli.ko/
The French word for poppy is coquelicot.
The term coquelicot is the most common way to refer to a poppy, specifically describing the bright red field poppy. In more botanical or medicinal contexts, such as when discussing the opium poppy, the word pavot is used.
Meaning: plant of the genus Papaver (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun coquelicot is masculine. To form the plural, add an -s to get coquelicots.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ.kli.ko/
Did you know?
- The word coquelicot is a playful derivative of cocorico, which is the sound a rooster makes in French. It was named this way because the bright red petals resemble the crest of a rooster.
- In French literature and poetry, the coquelicot is often a symbol of the fragility of summer or the fleeting nature of youth due to how quickly it blooms and fades.
- The term coquelicot is rarely used in scientific texts, where the Latin genus name Papaver or the term pavot takes precedence.
Examples in context
- Le coquelicot est rouge.The poppy is red.This sentence uses coquelicot to describe the color of the flower.Tatoeba #8715798 by Rafik, translation #11288185 by ghoza
- La couleur du coquelicot est rouge.The color of the poppy is red.This sentence uses coquelicot to identify its color.Tatoeba #11967236 by carlosalberto, translation #11967224 by carlosalberto
- Tom devint rouge comme un coquelicot.Tom became as red as a poppy.This sentence uses coquelicot in a simile to describe someone blushing deeply.Tatoeba #12771005 by Adelpa, translation #13807081 by tieguy
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are walking through a field of wild flowers.
- ChloéRegarde ce joli coquelicot ici !Look at this pretty poppy here!
- GabrielIl est vraiment magnifique, Chloé.It is truly magnificent, Chloé.
- ChloéOn ne doit pas toucher le coquelicot.We must not touch the poppy.
- GabrielTu as raison, Gabriel est d'accord.You are right, Gabriel agrees.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry coquelicot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coquelicot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
