séduisant
/se.dɥi.zɑ̃/
The English word seductive is translated into French as séduisant.
The adjective describes something or someone that is attractive, alluring or tempting. While it can mean seductive, it is very frequently used in a more general sense to mean 'charming' or 'appealing' when describing people or ideas.
Meaning: attractive, alluring, tempting (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes to match the noun it describes: séduisante is the feminine form, séduisants is the masculine plural form and séduisantes is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /se.dɥi.zɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- While séduisant is positive, the related noun séduction can refer to the act of misleading or deceiving someone. This echoes the word's deeper root of 'leading someone astray'.
- The verb séduire is used in French to describe the feeling of being 'charmed' by a city or a landscape, such as j'ai été séduit par Paris.
- If a person is too 'seductive' in a way that feels fake or manipulative, a French speaker might call them mielleux, which means 'honeyed' or 'cloying'.
Examples in context
- C'est une idée séduisante.It's a seductive idea.The first sentence uses séduisant to describe an idea.Tatoeba #2339166 by sacredceltic, translation #2337383 by Hybrid
- Il a rencontré une jeune femme séduisante à la fête.He met a seductive young woman at the party.The second sentence uses séduisante to describe a woman.Tatoeba #2339162 by sacredceltic, translation #2337385 by Hybrid
- Le nouvel acteur de cinéma est réellement séduisant.The new actor is truly seductive.
- Julien est un séducteur né.Julien is a born seducer.
- Tu es tout simplement irrésistible.You are simply irresistible.
- Le parfum qu'il porte est très séduisant.The perfume he wears is very seductive.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a new advertisement for a perfume.
- EmmaTu trouves cette publicité séduisante ?Do you find this advertisement seductive?
- HugoOui, le visuel est vraiment séduisant.Yes, the visual is truly alluring.
- EmmaL'acteur est très séduisant dans ce rôle.The actor is very attractive in this role.
- HugoC'est vrai, il a beaucoup de charme.That's true, he has a lot of charm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seductive” translations and entries séduisant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
