oups
/ups/
The English phrase "yikes" can be translated into French as oups.
oups is an expression used to convey shock or alarm. A related informal expression is Mince, which is used to express mild frustration, similar to the English "darn" or "shoot".
Meaning: expression of shock and alarm (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
/ups/
Did you know?
- To express a stronger version of 'yikes' or 'oh no', French speakers often use Purée, which is a food-based euphemism used to avoid a stronger swear word.
- In very informal settings, French speakers might use Aïe not just for physical pain, but as a 'yikes' when they realize they have made a social blunder.
- While oups is common, French speakers often use Ouh là là to express the same shock as 'yikes'. Depending on the tone, it can signal anything from mild surprise to genuine alarm.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are cooking together in the kitchen.
- HugoOups, j'ai mis trop de sel !Yikes, I put in too much salt!
- ManonQuoi ? Laisse-moi voir ça.What? Let me see that.
- HugoJe pense que c'est imangeable.I think it's inedible.
- ManonCe n'est pas grave, Hugo.It's okay, Hugo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oups, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
