mouton
/mu.tɔ̃/masculine
The French word for sheep is mouton.
mouton is the general term used for the animal. It can also be used idiomatically in the expression mouton de Panurge to describe a person who blindly follows a crowd or a trend without thinking.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mouton is the general term for sheep, brebis is the specific term used for a female sheep (ewe) and bélier is the specific term used for a male sheep (ram).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of mouton is moutons.
How do you pronounce it?
/mu.tɔ̃/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the word mouton can refer to the white foam on the crest of a wave, which are called moutons.
- The word mouton is used in the expression mouton à cinq pattes, which describes something that is impossible or purely imaginary.
- In French, the word for a male sheep, bélier, is also the term used for a 'battering ram' used in ancient warfare.
Examples in context
- Tom a des moutons.Tom has sheep.This sentence shows how to use the plural form mouton.Tatoeba #8701698 by Micsmithel, translation #2549683 by CK
- Elle tond le mouton.She is shearing the sheep.This sentence shows the singular form mouton used with the verb for shearing.Tatoeba #10492604 by Micsmithel, translation #2720092 by Amastan
- Il a tondu les moutons.He clipped the sheep.This sentence shows the plural form mouton used with the verb for clipping.Tatoeba #133485 by Micsmithel, translation #304518 by CM
- Les moutons paissent dans le champThe sheep graze in the field
- Un mouton s'est échappé de la fermeA sheep escaped from the farm
- Les paysages provençaux sont parsemés de troupeaux de brebisProvencal landscapes are dotted with flocks of sheep
- 93 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are looking at a farm through a fence.
- LéaRegarde ce petit mouton !Look at that little sheep!
- GabrielIl est vraiment mignon.It is really cute.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il est blanc ?Is it white?
- GabrielOui, le mouton est tout blanc.Yes, the sheep is all white.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries mouton, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
