Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| goût | /ɡu/ | masculine |
| saveur | /sa.vœʁ/ | feminine |
In French, the word for taste refers to one of the sensations produced by the tongue. You can use the related verb goûter to describe the physical act of tasting food or drink, or goûter de to mean to experience something. When expressing that someone has an aesthetic preference, such as in fashion or art, the phrase avoir du goût is used.
Which one should you use?
goût is the general term used for the sense of taste or a person's aesthetic preference. In contrast, saveur is used to describe the specific, often pleasant, flavor profile or savoriness of a food or drink.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone has good taste in art or fashion, you should use the expression avoir du goût instead of avoir un goût.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡu/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful when using the verb goûter. While English speakers often use 'to taste' to mean having a taste of a metaphorical experience, in French, goûter is primarily used for the physical act of tasting food or drink.
Did you know?
- In France, le goûter is the name for a traditional mid-afternoon snack, usually eaten by children around 4 PM.
- The English word 'gusto' is a distant relative of the French goût, both sharing a common ancestor that relates to the act of tasting.
Examples in context
- Tu n'as aucun goût.You have no taste.This sentence illustrates how to say someone has no aesthetic taste using goût.Tatoeba #1016759 by sacredceltic, translation #927729 by zvaigzne
- Je n'aime pas le goût.I don't like the taste.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for a specific taste using goût.Tatoeba #12193107 by felix63, translation #5389360 by Hybrid
- Ce café a un goût amer.This coffee has a bitter taste.This sentence describes a coffee as having a bitter taste using goût.Tatoeba #331089 by TRANG, translation #1588713 by CM
- J'adore le goût du chocolat.I love the taste of chocolate.
- Cette soupe a une saveur exquise.This soup has an exquisite taste.
- Veux-tu goûter mon gâteau ?Do you want to taste my cake?
- 149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are trying a new exotic fruit.
- EmmaQu'est-ce que tu penses du goût ?What do you think of the taste?
- GabrielLe goût est très sucré et frais.The taste is very sweet and fresh.
- EmmaC'est vrai, j'adore ce goût.That's true, I love this taste.
- GabrielMoi aussi, c'est délicieux.Me too, it's delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “taste” translations and entries goût, saveur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries goût, saveur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
