mou
/mu/
The English word "squishy" can be translated into French using mou or spongieux depending on the context.
Meaning: (of an object or substance) yielding easily to pressure, very soft, especially, soft and wet, as mud (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| mou | /mu/ |
| spongieux | /spɔ̃.ʒjø/ |
mou is used to describe an object or substance that yields easily to pressure and is very soft. When used to describe a person's body or muscles, mou carries a negative connotation of being flabby or lacking muscle tone.
Which one should you use?
While mou describes general softness, spongieux is used specifically for something that has a spongy texture or feels like a sponge.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective mou must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: mou (masculine singular), molle (feminine singular), mous (masculine plural) and molles (feminine plural).
How do you pronounce it?
/mu/
Did you know?
- The French word for 'soft' or 'squishy' mou is the root of the English word 'mollify', which means to soothe or soften a person's anger.
- The adjective mou shares a root with the English word 'molten', as both trace back to the Latin 'mollis' which describes something soft or yielding.
- If you are describing food that is 'too squishy' in a bad way, such as overcooked pasta, a French speaker might use the word pâteux instead of mou.
Examples in context
- Ce coussin est très mou.This cushion is very squishy.
- La pâte est molle et facile à pétrir.The dough is soft and easy to knead.
- Les gâteaux sont moelleux et délicieux.The cakes are soft and delicious.
- Le sol est très mou.The ground is very soft.
- Ce coussin est trop mou.This cushion is too squishy.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are walking through a park after a heavy rain.
- EmmaFais attention, le terrain est mou ici.Watch out, the ground is squishy here.
- LucasOui, mes chaussures sont pleines de boue.Yes, my shoes are full of mud.
- EmmaOn devrait marcher sur le chemin sec.We should walk on the dry path.
- LucasBonne idée, Emma.Good idea, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “squishy” translations and entries mou, spongieux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mou, spongieux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
