rocheux
The English phrase rocky is translated into French as rocheux.
The adjective is used to describe something that is abounding in, or full of, rocks.
Meaning: abounding in, or full of, rocks (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective rocheux is derived from the noun roche, meaning rock.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form rocheux changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes: use rocheuse for the feminine singular, rocheux for the masculine plural and rocheuses for the feminine plural.
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'rocky' which can describe a 'rocky relationship', French speakers would rarely use rocheux to describe a difficult human connection.
- French uses the specific adjective rocheux for geology, but the word caillouteux is used if the ground is specifically full of small pebbles rather than large rocks.
- While rocheux describes the physical terrain, a person with a 'rocky' or firm resolve is more likely to be described as solide comme un roc.
Examples in context
- La falaise est rocailleuseThe cliff is rocky
- Le terrain est rempli de caillouxThe terrain is filled with rocks
- Ce sentier est très rocheux.This path is very rocky.
- Le littoral est rocheux et escarpé.The coastline is rocky and steep.
- Ils habitent sur un terrain rocheux.They live on rocky terrain.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are planning a hiking trip.
- HugoEst-ce que le chemin est rocheux ?Is the path rocky?
- ChloéOui, c'est un terrain très rocheux.Yes, it is very rocky terrain.
- HugoIl faut porter de bonnes chaussures.We must wear good shoes.
- ChloéTu as raison, Hugo.You are right, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rocky” translations and entries rocheux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
