chose
/ʃoz/
In French, thing is said as chose.
chose is used to refer to an object or an abstract idea that is not named specifically.
How does it change in a sentence?
chose is a feminine noun. When saying "a thing", you must use the feminine article une instead of the masculine un (e.g., une chose). Similarly, when saying "the thing", you must use the feminine article la instead of the masculine le (e.g., la chose). The plural form of chose is choses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃoz/
Did you know?
- The French word chose is a linguistic 'cousin' to the English word 'cause'. They both trace back to the Latin 'causa', meaning 'reason' or 'cause'.
- If you want to talk about 'the thing' in a vague, colloquial way, French speakers often use the expression le truc instead of la chose.
- The phrase n'importe quoi uses the word for 'what' rather than 'thing', but it is the standard way to say 'anything' or 'nonsense' in French.
Examples in context
- C'est une bonne chose.It is a good thing.
- C'est une chose importante.It is an important thing.
- Je ne comprends pas cette chose.I do not understand this thing.
- Il y a une chose à dire.There is one thing to say.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are tidying up a room.
- NathanLéa, c'est quoi cette chose ?Léa, what is this thing?
- LéaJe ne sais pas, Nathan.I don't know, Nathan.
- NathanOn devrait jeter cette chose.We should throw this thing away.
- LéaD'accord, mets-la à la poubelle.Okay, put it in the bin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chose, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chose, CC BY-SA 4.0.
