Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chochotte | /ʃɔ.ʃɔt/ | feminine |
| lopette | /lɔ.pɛt/ | feminine |
| fifi | /fi.fi/ | Quebec, masculine |
These terms are used to describe an effeminate boy or man. The term chochotte is often used to describe someone who is seen as overly sensitive, fussy or afraid of small things. Other terms like tapette and pédale are informal ways to describe someone perceived as weak or lacking courage, but both are considered highly offensive or highly derogatory.
Which one should you use?
While all these terms carry a negative connotation, they differ in intensity and tone. Chochotte is informal and derogatory, but it is generally less vulgar than lopette, which is a more vulgar and aggressive term often implying cowardice or weakness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The terms provided are informal or slang. Chochotte is informal and derogatory, whereas lopette is considered more vulgar. The term fifi is slang, and tapette and pédale are highly offensive or derogatory.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the masculine slang term fifi is used to mean sissy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun chochotte is grammatically feminine, even when it is being used to refer to a male.
How do you pronounce it?
Chochotte is pronounced /ʃɔ.ʃɔt/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Quelle chochotte !What a sissy!This sentence is useful for expressing how much of a sissy someone is using chochotte.Tatoeba #11317137 by lbdx, translation #11306868 by 58mph
- C'est une lopette.He's a sissy.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a sissy using lopette.Tatoeba #14040036 by Myrano_, translation #14038915 by Myrano_
- Il est assez efféminé, ce qui peut surprendre certains.He is quite effeminate, which can surprise some people.
- Ne fais pas la chochotte avec moi.Don't be such a sissy with me.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are hiking and Hugo is complaining about the steep path.
- LéaC'est juste une petite montée, Hugo.It's just a little climb, Hugo.
- HugoJ'ai mal aux jambes, c'est trop dur.My legs hurt, it's too hard.
- LéaArrête, tu es une vraie chochotte !Stop it, you're such a sissy!
- HugoC'est vrai, je suis fatigué.It's true, I'm tired.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sissy” translations and entries chochotte, lopette, fifi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chochotte, fifi, lopette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
