You probably already know that the most common way to say “mouth” in French is la bouche. But just like in English, there are plenty of other colorful and descriptive ways to refer to it!

From slang terms you might hear on the streets of Paris to more formal or even anatomical language, French offers a variety of expressions for this essential body part.

Whether you want to sound more like a native or just understand more of what you hear, learning these terms is a great step. Let's dive into nine different ways to talk about the “mouth” in French!

1. The standard 'mouth' – la bouche

The standard 'mouth' – la bouche

La bouche is the most common and standard French word for 'mouth'. It specifically refers to the mouth of a human being.

As indicated by the article la, the word bouche is a feminine noun. This is crucial for correct grammar, especially when using adjectives. For example, you would say une petite bouche (a small mouth) or la bouche est ouverte (the mouth is open).

This term is neutral and can be used in any situation, from a formal medical context to casual, everyday conversation. It's your reliable, go-to word for 'mouth'.

A key point for learners is to distinguish la bouche from la gueule. While la gueule also means 'mouth', it is primarily used for animals. When used for a person, la gueule is considered vulgar and informal, similar to 'trap' or 'gob' in English.

For example, the command Ferme ta gueule! is a very rude way to say 'Shut up!'. To remain polite, you should always use la bouche when referring to a person's mouth.

Like its English counterpart, la bouche appears in many idioms. A common one is rester bouche bée, which means 'to be speechless' or 'dumbfounded'.

💡 * Ouvre la bouche, s'il te plaît. (Open your mouth, please.)

• Le dentiste regarde dans ma bouche. (The dentist is looking in my mouth.)
• Ne parle pas la bouche pleine. (Don't speak with your mouth full.)
• Elle a mis la main devant sa bouche pour bâiller. (She put her hand in front of her mouth to yawn.)
• Cette nouvelle m'a laissé bouche bée. (This news left me speechless.)

The informal and vulgar 'mouth' or 'trap' – la gueule

First, it's important to know that la gueule literally refers to the mouth, muzzle, or jaws of an animal. For example, you would talk about la gueule du loup (the wolf's mouth). In this context, the word is neutral and not vulgar.

In everyday slang, la gueule is used to refer to a person's mouth or face. However, it is considered very informal, and often vulgar or pejorative. It's the equivalent of English slang terms like 'trap,' 'gob,' or 'mug.'

You will frequently hear la gueule in common, expressive idioms. One of the most famous is 'Ta gueule!' — a very rude way to say 'Shut up!'. Another is 'faire la gueule', which means to sulk, pout, or pull a long face.

The tone can shift based on context. While often aggressive, it can be used between close friends in a rough, affectionate way. For instance, 'avoir une gueule de bois' means 'to have a hangover,' and 'se casser la gueule' means to fall flat on your face or fail spectacularly.

As a learner, you should be very careful with this word. Using it in the wrong situation (e.g., a formal setting or with someone you don't know well) can be highly offensive. Listen to how native speakers use it before trying it yourself.

💡 * Arrête de faire la gueule pour rien. (Stop sulking for no reason.)

• Il a crié « Ta gueule ! » avant de claquer la porte. (He yelled “Shut up!” before slamming the door.)
• Le lendemain de la fête, j'avais une terrible gueule de bois. (The day after the party, I had a terrible hangover.)
• Fais attention, tu vas te casser la gueule sur le verglas. (Be careful, you're going to fall flat on your face on the ice.)

The informal 'beak' or 'kisser' – le bec

While la bouche is the standard French word for 'mouth,' you'll often encounter the much more informal and colorful term le bec in everyday, casual conversation.

Literally, un bec means 'a beak,' like that of a bird. This imagery is key to its slang usage for a person's mouth. Think of it as the French equivalent of calling a mouth a 'kisser' or 'trap'.

Le bec shines in idiomatic expressions. The most famous is Ferme ton bec !, which is a very direct, and often rude, way to say 'Shut your mouth!' or 'Shut your trap!'

Interestingly, in some French-speaking regions like Québec and Switzerland, un bec is a common, affectionate term for a kiss, similar to un bisou. You might hear a parent say, Fais un bec à maman ('Give mom a kiss').

Understanding the tone is crucial. Telling someone to fermer son bec is aggressive. Asking for un bec is affectionate. Because of this, it's a word best used with people you know well, where the context makes the meaning—whether a rude command or a sweet request—perfectly clear.

💡 * L'oiseau a un insecte dans le bec. (The bird has an insect in its beak.)

• Si tu continues à te plaindre, je vais te dire de fermer ton bec ! (If you keep complaining, I'm going to tell you to shut your trap!)
• Allez, fais un gros bec à ta grand-mère. (Come on, give your grandmother a big kiss.)
• Il a toujours le bec enfariné. (He always looks innocent/plays dumb, literally 'he always has a floured beak'.)

The slang 'trap' or 'clapper' – le clapet

The slang 'trap' or 'clapper' – le clapet

Literally, le clapet means a 'valve' or 'flap.' In French slang, it's a derogatory term for the mouth, equivalent to the English 'trap' or 'pie-hole.' It’s used to imply that someone talks too much or says foolish things.

The most common phrase using this word is the aggressive command, Ferme ton clapet !, which is a very rude way of saying 'Shut your trap!' or 'Shut up!'. It’s a phrase loaded with annoyance and disrespect.

This is highly informal and confrontational slang. You should only use it if you intend to be rude or are in a very casual context with people who won't be offended. It is not suitable for polite or professional conversations.

💡 * Ferme ton clapet, tu parles pour ne rien dire ! (Shut your trap, you're talking just to talk!)

• Il n'arrête pas d'ouvrir son clapet en réunion, c'est agaçant. (He can't stop opening his trap in meetings, it's annoying.)
• Si tu continues, je vais te dire de fermer ton clapet. (If you continue, I'm going to tell you to shut your trap.)
• Elle a un de ces clapets ! Elle n'a jamais peur de dire ce qu'elle pense. (She's got some mouth on her! She's never afraid to speak her mind.)

The slang for 'box' – la boîte

While la boîte literally translates to 'the box,' this versatile word has a couple of very common slang meanings you'll hear constantly in France.

The most popular slang meaning for la boîte is 'nightclub' or 'club.' The expression sortir en boîte means 'to go clubbing.' It's the standard, informal way to talk about going out to a club.

In a more professional but still informal context, la boîte is used to mean 'the company,' 'the firm,' or 'the office.' You'll often hear people refer to their workplace as ma boîte (my company).

Understanding which 'box' is being discussed is all about context. If someone is talking about their job, la boîte is their company. If they're talking about Friday night plans, it's probably a nightclub.

Both slang uses are very common in everyday conversation. However, in formal writing or a very professional setting, you would use the more standard terms l'entreprise (the company) or la discothèque (the nightclub).

💡 * On va en boîte ce week-end ? (Are we going clubbing this weekend?)

• Je travaille dans une petite boîte d'informatique. (I work in a small IT company.)
• Il a quitté sa boîte pour monter son propre business. (He left his company to start his own business.)
• J'ai mis les vieilles photos dans une boîte en carton. (I put the old photos in a cardboard box.)

The poetic 'lips' – les lèvres

The direct translation for 'lips' in French is les lèvres (feminine plural). This is the standard anatomical term you'll find in any dictionary, used just like its English counterpart for the fleshy parts forming the opening of the mouth.

While 'lips' can be romantic in English, les lèvres carries an even stronger poetic and literary connotation in French. It's frequently used in poetry, songs, and romantic literature to evoke sensuality, passion, and beauty. The word itself sounds softer and more romantic to the French ear than the more clinical term la bouche (the mouth).

Beyond romance, les lèvres appears in several common idioms. For instance, être suspendu aux lèvres de quelqu'un means 'to hang on someone's every word.' Another phrase is lire sur les lèvres, which literally means 'to read on the lips.' These expressions show how the word is tied to speech and communication.

Remember that les lèvres refers specifically to the lips, whereas la bouche refers to the entire mouth, including the inside. While you kiss with les lèvres, you eat with la bouche. This distinction is important for precise communication.

💡 * Elle a appliqué du rouge à lèvres sur ses lèvres pulpeuses. (She applied lipstick to her full lips.)

• Le poème décrivait la douceur de ses lèvres. (The poem described the softness of her lips.)
• Ne dis pas un mot, tes lèvres sont scellées. (Don't say a word, your lips are sealed.)
• J'étais suspendu à ses lèvres pendant qu'elle racontait l'histoire. (I was hanging on her every word while she told the story.)

The formal or anatomical 'oral cavity' – la cavité buccale

For a formal, anatomical, or medical context, the term for the 'mouth' or 'oral cavity' is la cavité buccale. This is a highly specific term used by professionals.

This feminine noun refers to the entire space inside the mouth, including the teeth, gums, tongue, and the palate. It is the direct equivalent of the English 'oral cavity' or 'buccal cavity'.

You will encounter la cavité buccale in a dentist's office, a doctor's report, or a biology textbook. It is not used in casual conversation, where la bouche is the standard word for 'mouth'.

💡 * Le médecin examine la cavité buccale pour détecter des signes d'infection. (The doctor examines the oral cavity to detect signs of infection.)

• Une bonne hygiène de la cavité buccale est essentielle pour la santé générale. (Good oral cavity hygiene is essential for general health.)
• Ce médicament est administré directement dans la cavité buccale. (This medication is administered directly into the oral cavity.)

The 'big mouth' (for a talkative person) – la grande bouche

The “big mouth” (for a talkative person) – la grande bouche

Literally translating to 'the big mouth,' la grande bouche is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who is talkative, boastful, or indiscreet. It often implies that the person talks too much or can't keep a secret.

This phrase is informal and carries a negative connotation, similar to calling someone a 'blabbermouth' in English. You can also use the construction avoir une grande bouche (to have a big mouth).

Note that bouche is a feminine noun, so the expression is always la grande bouche, regardless of the gender of the person being described.

💡 * Ne lui dis pas le secret, il a une grande bouche. (Don't tell him the secret, he has a big mouth.)

• C'est une grande bouche, elle raconte tout à tout le monde. (She's a big mouth, she tells everything to everyone.)
• Arrête de faire ta grande bouche et écoute un peu ! (Stop being such a big mouth and listen a little!)

1. The Pejorative 'Snout' or 'Muzzle' – Le Museau

The French word le museau literally translates to the 'snout' or 'muzzle' of an animal. For example, you would say le museau d'un chien (a dog's snout). However, its use extends into informal and often rude slang when referring to a person.

When applied to a person, le museau pejoratively refers to their 'face,' 'mouth,' or 'mug.' It carries a strong insulting tone, similar to calling someone's face a 'trap' or 'gob' in English. It's a very familiar and vulgar term you should only use if you intend to be offensive.

A common command using this word is « Ferme ton museau ! » which means 'Shut your snout/trap!' It is a very rude way to tell someone to be quiet, similar in intensity to the more common expression « Ta gueule ! ».

💡 * Ferme ton museau, tu parles trop ! (Shut your trap, you talk too much!)

• Il a reçu un coup de poing en plein museau. (He got punched right in the mug.)
• Je ne veux plus voir ton sale museau ici. (I don't want to see your dirty snout/face here anymore.)
• Quel museau ! Il n'est vraiment pas sympathique. (What a mug! He really isn't friendly.)

Are there other ways to say 'mouth' in French?

Are there other ways to say “mouth” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “mouth” in French, from the standard bouche to the informal gueule. But French is a living language, full of regionalisms, old-fashioned terms, and new slang that captures the nuances of speech and expression.

To discover regional variants, you can do an online search for “comment dire bouche en ___” followed by the name of a French-speaking region, like Québec or Senegal.

You might find some interesting synonyms for bouche on a list like this. However, it’s crucial to check a word’s definition and context before using it. For example, using gueule in a formal setting would be a major faux pas!

As you immerse yourself in French culture—watching movies, listening to music, or chatting with native speakers—pay close attention. You'll start to notice the subtle and varied ways people refer to the mouth and speaking.

And if you want to explore related expressions, like “to have a big mouth” or “a mouthful,” the WordReference entry for bouche is an excellent resource to deepen your vocabulary.

I hope this guide has been helpful on your language journey. To finish, here is a classic French proverb that wisely involves the mouth: Tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler. (Literally, “Turn your tongue in your mouth seven times before speaking,” meaning think carefully before you speak.)