choses sucrées
The English phrase "sweet things" is translated into French as choses sucrées.
This phrase is used to describe foods or drinks that have a sugary taste. In a culinary context, if you want to specify that something is sweet because it has a high sugar content, you should use sucré rather than doux.
Which one should you use?
While choses sucrées is a standard way to describe sweet items, you can use douceurs as a more elegant or poetic way to refer to sweets or delicacies.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the phrase Mon chum is used among couples to mean "my boyfriend", while Ma blonde is used to mean "my girlfriend".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sucrées must agree in both gender and number with the feminine plural noun choses.
Did you know?
- The word sucre (sugar) shares a root with the Sanskrit word 'śarkarā'. It entered French via Arabic and Italian, mirroring the historical trade routes of sugar into Europe.
- In French, if you call a person sucré, you are not calling them sweet or kind, but rather suggesting they are 'sugary' or 'saccharine' in a mocking way. To compliment someone's sweet personality, you would use gentil or adorable instead.
- When describing sparkling wines like Champagne, the word sucré is avoided in favor of technical terms like demi-sec to indicate sweetness levels.
Examples in context
- Je n'aime pas trop les choses sucrées.I don't really like sweet things.
- Il y a beaucoup de choses sucrées sur la table.There are many sweet things on the table.
- Tu préfères les choses salées ou les choses sucrées ?Do you prefer salty things or sweet things?
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are choosing snacks at a bakery.
- ManonEst-ce que tu veux des choses sucrées ?Do you want sweet things?
- HugoOui, j'ai très envie de quelque chose de sucré.Yes, I really want something sweet.
- ManonPrends ces pâtisseries, elles sont délicieuses.Take these pastries, they are delicious.
- HugoMerci Manon, elles ont l'air parfaites.Thanks Manon, they look perfect.
