poule mouillée
/pul mu.je/
The English phrase wimp can be translated into French as poule mouillée.
This term describes someone who lacks confidence. It is used to tease or insult someone for being cowardly.
Meaning: someone who lacks confidence (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, poule mouillée translates to 'wet hen'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term poule mouillée is colloquial. If you want to use a more informal term, you can use Froussard.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the colloquial term mauviette can be used to describe a person lacking courage.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because poule is a feminine noun, the phrase poule mouillée is always used with feminine articles and adjectives, even when referring to a male.
Did you know?
- The term poule mouillée shares a strange linguistic parallel with the Russian expression мо́края ку́рица, which also translates to 'wet hen' to describe a coward.
- French has a variety of 'fear' words, ranging from the colloquial poule mouillée to the more pointed froussard, which specifically mocks someone's tendency to jump in fright.
Examples in context
- Quelle poule mouillée !What a wimp!This sentence is useful for expressing surprise at someone's cowardice using poule mouillée.Tatoeba #11317134 by lbdx, translation #13043502 by rul
- C’est une poule mouillée.He is a wimp.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a wimp using poule mouillée.Tatoeba #10638276 by AutoBot, translation #10638273 by AutoBot
- T'es vraiment une poule mouillée.You're such a wimp.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that someone is a wimp using poule mouillée.Tatoeba #6156625 by Dr_herr, translation #6155894 by CM
- Il est vraiment trouillardHe is really a wimp
- Arrête d'être une poule mouillée et prends ton courage à deux mainsStop being a wimp and gather your courage
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are discussing a friend who is afraid of roller coasters.
- LucasMarc n'ose pas monter dans ce manège.Marc doesn't dare get on this ride.
- EmmaC'est une vraie poule mouillée !He is such a wimp!
- LucasIl est juste un peu nerveux.He is just a little nervous.
- EmmaNon, il est trop lâche.No, he is too cowardly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry poule mouillée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poule, poule mouillée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
