féculent
/fe.ky.lɑ̃/
The English word "starchy" is translated into French as féculent.
In French, féculent is used to describe foods that contain starch, such as potatoes, pasta or rice. It is frequently used in a nutritional context to refer to carbohydrates, often appearing in phrases like aliments féculents (starchy foods), légumes féculents (starchy vegetables) or un aliment féculent (a starchy food). You can also say riche en féculents to mean "rich in starches".
Meaning: containing starch (adj)
Which one should you use?
While féculent describes food items like pasta or potatoes, it is not used to describe the texture of a fabric. If you are referring to a fabric that feels starchy, you should use a different term such as amidonné.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word féculent functions as an adjective that must agree with the noun it modifies. Use féculente when modifying a feminine noun and féculents for the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
féculent is pronounced /fe.ky.lɑ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In English, a 'starchy' person is someone stiff and formal, but if you call someone féculent in French, they will be very confused as it only applies to food.
- The word féculent is derived from the Latin faecula, which referred to the sediment or flour-like powder left after boiling a plant.
- In a French medical context, féculents are often described as 'slow' carbohydrates because they release glucose gradually into the bloodstream.
Examples in context
- Les aliments à base d'amidon sont une source d'énergie essentielle.Starchy foods are an essential source of energy.
- Ce plat contient des ingrédients qui contiennent de l'amidon.This dish contains ingredients which contain starch.
- Ce plat est vraiment riche en féculents, mais c'est délicieux!This dish is really starchy, but it's delicious!
- Je préfère les légumes moins féculents.I prefer less starchy vegetables.
- Le riz est un aliment féculent.Rice is a starchy food.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are planning a healthy dinner.
- LéaOn devrait ajouter un légume féculent.We should add a starchy vegetable.
- NathanEst-ce que le maïs convient ?Does corn work?
- LéaOui, c'est une bonne idée, Nathan.Yes, that is a good idea, Nathan.
- NathanJe vais en acheter demain.I will buy some tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “starchy” translations and entries féculent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
