mauvaise herbe
/mo.vɛz ɛʁb/feminine
The English phrase 'weed' (referring to an unwanted plant) is translated into French as mauvaise herbe. Wiktionary also lists chiendent and adventice.
Meaning: unwanted plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mauvaise herbe | /mo.vɛz ɛʁb/ /mɔ.vɛz ɛʁb/ |
feminine |
| chiendent | /ʃjɛ̃.dɑ̃/ | masculine |
| adventice | /ad.vɑ̃.tis/ | feminine |
To perform the action of removing weeds, use the verb désherber.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mauvaise herbe literally translates to 'bad herb'.
Which one should you use?
Mauvaise herbe is the common, everyday term used for a weed in a garden or lawn. Chiendent is a masculine noun, while adventice is a feminine noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Parisian slang, the word beuh is used to refer to 'weed' (cannabis).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the plural 'weeds', you must pluralize both the adjective and the noun to get mauvaises herbes.
How do you pronounce it?
/mo.vɛz ɛʁb/
Did you know?
- If you use the term beuh to refer to 'weed', you are using 'verlan', a type of French slang that inverts syllables.
- The word chiendent literally translates to 'dog tooth'. This refers to the plant's sharp rhizomes and its stubborn ability to grip the soil.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce qu'une mauvaise herbe ? Une plante dont les vertus n'ont pas encore été découvertes.What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.This sentence is useful for defining the concept of a mauvaise herbe.Tatoeba #870173 by Scott, translation #868158 by Scott
- Je fume de l'herbe de temps en temps.I smoke weed from time to time.
- Il y a une mauvaise herbe dans le pot.There is a weed in the pot.
- Cette mauvaise herbe est très difficile à arracher.This weed is very difficult to pull out.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are working in their garden.
- ChloéRegarde cette mauvaise herbe sur le bac de fleurs.Look at this weed on the flower box.
- LucasTu veux que je l'arrache, Chloé ?Do you want me to pull it out, Chloé?
- ChloéOui, s'il te plaît, Lucas.Yes, please, Lucas.
- LucasD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weed” translations and entries mauvaise herbe, chiendent, adventice, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adventice, chiendent, herbe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
