tofu
/to.fu/masculine
The English word 'tofu' is translated into French as tofu. Wiktionary also lists tofou.
Meaning: protein-rich food made from curdled soy milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tofu | /to.fu/ /to.fy/ |
masculine |
| tofou | /tɔ.fu/ | masculine |
tofu refers to the protein-rich food made from curdled soy milk.
Which one should you use?
tofu is the standard spelling, while tofou is an alternative form. Both are masculine nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine. When you want to say 'the tofu', use the masculine article le tofu. When referring to an unspecified quantity, such as in 'I am eating tofu', use the partitive article du tofu.
How do you pronounce it?
/to.fu/
Did you know?
- Despite its similarity to French cheeses, tofu is almost never referred to using the word 'fromage' itself unless the phrase 'fromage de soja' is used, as 'fromage' specifically implies dairy in French culture.
- The word tofu entered the French language via the Japanese 'tōfu', making it a direct phonetic import rather than a word that was adapted through Latin or other European linguistic pathways.
- While 'tofu' is a common loanword in French, it is often categorized under the broader umbrella of 'produits végétaux' (plant products) in French grocery stores, rather than being shelved with traditional dairy-based cheeses.
Examples in context
- Tom aime le tofu.Tom likes tofu.This sentence shows how to express a preference for tofu.Tatoeba #6861587 by Micsmithel, translation #6608788 by Hybrid
- Ah, j'ai oublié d'acheter du tofu.Ah, I forgot to buy tofu.This sentence demonstrates the use of the partitive article du with tofu.Tatoeba #3658475 by gillux, translation #3658487 by rokito
- Le tofu peut être utilisé comme substitut de la viande.Tofu can be used as a substitute for meat.This sentence illustrates how tofu is used as a meat substitute.Tatoeba #2763004 by Rovo, translation #2761786 by Hybrid
- Avez-vous déjà cuisiné du tofu chez vous ?Have you ever cooked tofu at home?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are planning their dinner in the kitchen.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il reste du tofu dans le frigo ?Is there any tofu left in the fridge?
- HugoNon, je dois en racheter demain.No, I need to buy some tomorrow.
- EmmaOn pourrait faire une salade avec du tofu.We could make a salad with tofu.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée, Emma.That is an excellent idea, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tofu” translations and entries tofu, tofou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tofu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
