gros mot
/ɡʁo mo/
The English phrase "potty mouth" can be translated to French as gros mot.
In French, gros mot refers to the characteristic of using foul language. While gros mot is the noun for a swear word, the actual act of having a potty mouth or swearing is typically expressed using the verb dire (to say) in the phrase dire des gros mots.
Meaning: characteristic (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gros mot literally translates to "big word".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple swear words, the phrase becomes gros mots by adding an s to both the adjective and the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁo mo/
Did you know?
- While gros mot describes the words themselves, French speakers often use the expression avoir un langage fleuri ('to have flowery language') as a sarcastic way to describe a potty mouth.
- The word mot comes from the Late Latin muttum, which was an onomatopoeic word meant to mimic the sound of someone muttering.
- In some French contexts, describing someone as having a gros mot habit can be softened by using the term sacrer, which specifically refers to the act of swearing by invoking sacred things.
Example conversation
Chloé is talking to Nathan about his language.
- ChloéNathan, ne dis pas de gros mots !Nathan, don't use potty mouth!
- NathanDésolé, je suis juste très fâché.Sorry, I'm just very angry.
- ChloéC'est mal de dire un gros mot ici.It's bad to swear here.
- NathanD'accord, je vais faire attention.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gros mot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gros, gros mot, mot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
