coq
/kɔk/masculine
The French word for rooster is coq.
coq refers to a male chicken or a male gallinaceous bird. Beyond describing the biological animal, the term is also used to represent bravery or pride in French culture.
Meaning: male chicken, male gallinaceous bird (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
coq is a masculine noun. To express the plural, use coqs.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔk/
When do people say it?
In a formal context, the term Coq gaulois (Gallic rooster) is used to refer to the rooster that symbolizes France and its people.
Did you know?
- The Gallic rooster symbol likely stems from a Latin pun, as gallus meant both 'inhabitant of Gaul' and 'rooster'.
- There is an academic debate regarding whether coq is a Germanic loanword or a descendant of the Latin 'coquus', which also gave us the word 'cook'.
- The phrase faire le coq describes someone who is showing off or behaving in a vain and boastful manner.
Examples in context
- Le coq ne pond pas d'œufs.The rooster doesn't lay eggs.This sentence uses coq to illustrate that a rooster does not lay eggs.Tatoeba #13155211 by say123, translation #13155193 by araneo
- Chaque matin, le coq chante.Every morning, the rooster crows.This sentence uses coq to describe the rooster crowing in the morning.Tatoeba #13209863 by lbdx, translation #4979909 by AlanF_US
- Thomas était fier comme un coq.Tom was proud as a rooster.This sentence uses coq within a simile about pride.Tatoeba #6982238 by Blabla, translation #6982873 by Eccles17
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are visiting a farm.
- HugoRegarde, il y a un coq là-bas !Look, there is a rooster over there!
- EmmaIl est très beau, ce coq.That rooster is very beautiful.
- HugoIl fait beaucoup de bruit.He is making a lot of noise.
- EmmaC'est normal pour un coq.That's normal for a rooster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rooster” translations and entries coq, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coq, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
