aigre-doux
The English phrase "sour sweet" is translated into French as aigre-doux.
The term is most commonly used in a culinary context to describe specific flavor profiles, such as a sauce aigre-douce (sweet and sour sauce).
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of aigre (sour) and doux (sweet).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are describing a feminine noun, such as une sauce, the adjective changes its form to aigre-douce.
Did you know?
- The word doux is a linguistic multitasker that can mean 'sweet' when tasting food but 'soft' when touching a fabric or 'mild' when describing a winter climate.
- The word aigre is used in the French expression avoir un air aigre to describe someone who looks grumpy or sour-faced.
- The word doux comes from the Latin dulcis, which is the same root that gave English the words 'dulcet' and 'dulcimer'.
Examples in context
- Ces bonbons qui piquent sont délicieux !These sour sweets are delicious!
- Tu veux un bonbon acidulé ?Do you want a sour sweet?
- J'aime beaucoup le goût aigre-doux de ce plat.I really like the sour-sweet taste of this dish.
- Le mélange de fruits est aigre-doux.The fruit mixture is sour-sweet.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are eating at a Thai restaurant.
- ChloéTu aimes ce curry, Nathan ?Do you like this curry, Nathan?
- NathanOui, j'adore ce profil aigre-doux.Yes, I love this sour-sweet profile.
- ChloéC'est vrai que c'est très équilibré.It's true that it is very balanced.
- NathanC'est délicieux, Chloé.It's delicious, Chloé.
