pierre-feuille-ciseaux
/pjɛʁ.fœj.si.zo/masculine
The English phrase rock paper scissors is translated into French as pierre-feuille-ciseaux. Wiktionary also lists chifoumi.
Meaning: popular child's game (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pierre-feuille-ciseaux | /pjɛʁ.fœj.si.zo/ | masculine |
| chifoumi | /ʃi.fu.mi/ | masculine |
The phrase refers to the popular child's game (noun).
Which one should you use?
pierre-feuille-ciseaux is the standard name for the game, while chifoumi is a common colloquial name.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chifoumi is an informal, colloquial name used in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing playing or losing at the game, use the preposition à (for example, au chifoumi).
How do you pronounce it?
/pjɛʁ.fœj.si.zo/
Did you know?
- The colloquial name chifoumi is actually a phonetic transcription of the Japanese numbers 'one, two, three' (hi, fu, mi) used to count down during the game.
- In France, the game is often played by chanting chifoumi instead of naming the objects, treating the word as a rhythmic signal for the reveal.
- Depending on the region, some French speakers substitute the word feuille (leaf) with papier (paper) when naming the game.
Examples in context
- Faisons faire aujourd'hui la vaisselle à celui qui perd à chifoumi !Let's have the one who loses at rock-paper-scissors do the dishwashing today!This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form chifoumi with the preposition à when discussing losing a game.Tatoeba #930441 by sacredceltic, translation #930672 by bojnin
- On joue à pierre-feuille-ciseaux ?Shall we play rock paper scissors?
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are deciding who takes out the trash.
- ChloéC'est ton tour de sortir les poubelles, Nathan.It is your turn to take out the trash, Nathan.
- NathanPas d'accord ! On fait un pierre-feuille-ciseaux ?I don't agree! Shall we do a rock paper scissors?
- ChloéD'accord, je suis prête.Okay, I am ready.
- NathanJ'ai gagné, donc c'est toi qui y vas !I won, so you are the one going!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock paper scissors” translations and entries pierre-feuille-ciseaux, chifoumi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chifoumi, pierre-feuille-ciseaux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
