pot-pourri
/po.pu.ʁi/masculine
The English phrase "potpourri" is translated into French as pot-pourri.
The term pot-pourri refers to a mixture of dried fragrant plant material used to scent a room.
Meaning: a mixture of dried fragrant plant material used to scent a room (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of pot (pot) and pourri (rotten/decayed), which literally refers to a pot of decaying matter, even though it is used today to mean a mixture of dried botanicals.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /po.pu.ʁi/. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the term pot-pourri can also refer to a musical medley of various songs played one after another. This usage is common in classical music and jazz, quite different from the scent in a bowl.
- The word pourri comes from the same Latin root as the English word 'putrid'.
- French uses pot-pourri to describe a mix of things, but it carries a slight connotation of disorder or lack of harmony, unlike the more positive English usage.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté du pot-pourri pour parfumer ma maison.I bought some potpourri to scent my house.
- Profitez du parfum envoûtant du pot-pourri !Enjoy the enchanting scent of potpourri!
- L'odeur de ce pot-pourri est délicieuse.The scent of this potpourri is delicious.
- Pose ce pot-pourri sur la table du salon.Put this potpourri on the living room table.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are decorating their new apartment.
- LucasOù est le pot-pourri pour l'entrée ?Where is the potpourri for the entrance?
- LéaIl est dans le panier en osier.It is in the wicker basket.
- LucasParfait, je vais le placer ici.Perfect, I will place it here.
- LéaCela sentira très bon dans cette pièce.This room will smell very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “potpourri” translations and entries pot-pourri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
