ours en peluche
/uʁ.s‿ɑ̃ p(ə).lyʃ/masculine
The English phrase "teddy bear" can be translated into French as ours en peluche. Wiktionary also lists nounours.
Meaning: a stuffed toy bear (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ours en peluche | /uʁ.s‿ɑ̃ p(ə).lyʃ/ | masculine |
| nounours | /nu.nuʁs/ | masculine |
The term refers to a stuffed toy bear. You can also use nounours to mean "my teddy bear" by saying mon nounours. Additionally, you can say mon doudou to mean "my teddy bear". Metaphorically, nounours can be used to describe a person who is large, soft-hearted or gentle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ours en peluche is composed of ours (bear) and en peluche (made of plush/fabric).
Which one should you use?
Ours en peluche is the standard, descriptive term for a teddy bear. In contrast, nounours is a more affectionate, colloquial and common way to refer to a teddy bear, especially when speaking to children.
How do you pronounce it?
/uʁ.s‿ɑ̃ p(ə).lyʃ/
Did you know?
- In French, peluche can refer to a teddy bear's fabric but also describes the tiny bits of lint or fuzz found on a sweater.
- The word peluche used for the fabric of a teddy bear originally comes from a word meaning 'to peel' or 'to pluck'.
- The word doudou is a generic term for any comfort object, meaning a child might call a blanket or a piece of fabric their doudou instead of a bear.
Examples in context
- Mon nounours me manque.I miss my teddy bear.This sentence is useful for expressing how much you miss your nounours.Tatoeba #12731624 by lbdx, translation #5753361 by CM
- As-tu récupéré son nounours ?Did you get his teddy bear back?This sentence is useful for asking if someone recovered a nounours.Tatoeba #10473980 by Julien_PDC, translation #13928017 by zogwarg
- Tom est comme un gros nounours.Tom is like a big teddy bear.This sentence is useful for describing someone as being like a big nounours.Tatoeba #10549578 by felix63, translation #10548315 by shekitten
- Excusez-moi, où puis-je trouver un ours en peluche ?Excuse me, where can I find a teddy bear?
- J'adore mon doudou, il s'appelle Bébé.I love my teddy bear, his name is Bébé.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are packing a bag for a sleepover.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu as pris ton ours en peluche ?Did you take your teddy bear?
- GabrielOui, j'ai mis mon ours en peluche dans le sac.Yes, I put my teddy bear in the bag.
- ChloéParfait, Gabriel, tu es prêt pour la nuit.Perfect, Gabriel, you are ready for the night.
- GabrielN'oublie pas ton propre ours en peluche !Don't forget your own teddy bear!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teddy bear” translations and entries ours en peluche, nounours, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, nounours, ours, peluche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
