fouet
/fwɛ/masculine
The English word whisk translates to the French fouet.
The noun fouet refers to the physical kitchen utensil. Outside of the kitchen, fouet can also mean a whip used for striking. If you want to describe the culinary action of whisking or whipping ingredients like cream or eggs, use the verb fouetter.
Meaning: kitchen utensil (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun fouet refers to the physical kitchen utensil, whereas the verb fouetter refers to the action of whisking.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fwɛ/
Did you know?
- The word fouet originally comes from a word for 'beech' trees. This is because early whips were often made from the flexible twigs of beech trees.
- In French slang, the phrase se faire fouetter can be used to describe being severely scolded or reprimanded, playing on the word's meaning as a whip.
- The French language uses the same word fouet for both the balloon whisk and the flat whisk, whereas English often distinguishes them by name.
Examples in context
- Fouetter le sucre et la fécule de maïs dans un bol. Réserver.Whisk sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Set aside.Tatoeba #9466604 by lbdx, translation #3574426 by Lebensfreude
- Battez les œufs au fouet.Beat the eggs with a whisk.Tatoeba #823673 by MUIRIEL, translation #823600 by papabear
- Veuillez me passer le fouet, s'il vous plaît.Please pass me the whisk.
- N'oubliez pas d'utiliser le fouet à main pour monter les blancs en neige.Don't forget to use the hand whisk to beat the egg whites.
- Où est le fouet pour la crème ?Where is the whisk for the cream?
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are preparing a dessert in the kitchen.
- LucasEmma, tu as vu mon fouet ?Emma, have you seen my whisk?
- EmmaIl est dans le tiroir, Lucas.It is in the drawer, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, je vais préparer la sauce.Thanks, I am going to prepare the sauce.
- EmmaD'accord, je m'occupe du chocolat.Okay, I will take care of the chocolate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whisk” translations and entries fouet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fouet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
