bec sucré
/bɛk sy.kʁe/masculine
The English phrase "sweet tooth" is translated into French as bec sucré.
The term bec sucré is used to describe a person's preference for sugary foods, much like the English expression.
Meaning: a liking for foods that are sweet, a weakness for sweets (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "sweet beak".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bɛk sy.kʁe/. It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you describe a friend as having a bec salé, you are not saying they like salty snacks, but rather that they are a person who speaks their mind bluntly or even rudely.
- The use of bec to describe a person's appetite is a linguistic remnant of Gaulish culture. This Celtic influence survived the Roman conquest and the transition to Latin.
- While bec sucré is a common term, French also uses gourmand to describe someone with a sweet tooth. Unlike the English 'glutton', being gourmand is often seen as a sophisticated appreciation for fine food.
Examples in context
- Je suis bec sucré.I have a sweet tooth.Tatoeba #641031 by Snout, translation #256724 by CK
- J'ai un bec sucré.I've got a sweet tooth.Tatoeba #1533985 by sacredceltic, translation #1532962 by CK
- Il a un bec sucré.He has a sweet tooth.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are looking at a dessert menu.
- GabrielRegarde tous ces gâteaux, Emma !Look at all these cakes, Emma!
- EmmaJe ne sais pas quoi choisir, j'ai un bec sucré.I don't know what to choose, I have a sweet tooth.
- GabrielMoi aussi, je vais prendre la tarte.Me too, I'll have the tart.
- EmmaBon choix, Gabriel !Good choice, Gabriel!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet tooth” translations and entries bec sucré, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
