The most common way to say 'socks' in French is chaussettes. It's the word you'll find in any textbook and hear in everyday conversation. But the French language, with its love for nuance, offers more than just one option! Depending on the type of sock, the context, or even the region, you might encounter different, more specific terms. Expanding your vocabulary beyond the basics is a fantastic way to sound more like a native speaker and understand the culture better. Ready to keep your feet—and your French—warm and stylish? Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'socks'!

1. The standard 'socks' – des chaussettes

The most common and universal word for 'socks' in French is des chaussettes. This is your go-to term in almost any situation.

The word chaussette is a feminine noun. This affects the articles you use with it:

• une chaussette - a sock (one single sock)
• des chaussettes - socks (plural, the most common form)
• la chaussette - the sock
• les chaussettes - the socks

You can use des chaussettes for any type of standard sock, from ankle socks (chaussettes basses) to knee-highs (chaussettes hautes). It's the word you'll use when shopping, doing laundry, or simply getting dressed.

A key phrase to learn is une paire de chaussettes, which means 'a pair of socks'. You can also describe them by material, like des chaussettes en coton (cotton socks) or des chaussettes en laine (wool socks).

Be careful not to confuse chaussettes with bas (stockings) or collants (tights/pantyhose). Chaussettes specifically refer to the garments worn on your feet, usually ending at the calf or below.

💡 * J'ai perdu une chaussette dans la machine à laver. (I lost a sock in the washing machine.)

• Il porte toujours des chaussettes colorées. (He always wears colorful socks.)
• Peux-tu me prêter une paire de chaussettes ? (Can you lend me a pair of socks?)
• Mes chaussettes sont mouillées à cause de la pluie. (My socks are wet because of the rain.)
• J'ai besoin de nouvelles chaussettes de sport. (I need new sports socks.)

1. The 'single sock' – une chaussette

The fundamental word for 'a sock' in French is une chaussette. It's a feminine noun, which is important for matching articles and adjectives. So, you would say la chaussette rouge (the red sock).

For 'socks' in general, you use the plural form, des chaussettes. If you want to be specific about 'a pair of socks,' the correct phrase is une paire de chaussettes. This distinction is useful when you're shopping or talking about laundry.

Addressing the mystery of the single sock, the French have a wonderfully descriptive term: une chaussette orpheline (an 'orphan sock'). This is a common and relatable way to describe a sock that has lost its mate.

The word also features in idiomatic expressions. For example, laisser tomber quelqu'un comme une vieille chaussette means 'to drop someone like an old sock,' implying abandoning them abruptly and without care.

You'll often use this word in everyday contexts, from getting dressed ('Je mets mes chaussettes') to complaining about household chores ('J'ai encore une chaussette orpheline !'). It's a basic but essential piece of vocabulary.

💡 * J'ai un trou dans ma chaussette.

• Il me faut une nouvelle paire de chaussettes de sport.
• Mon tiroir est plein de chaussettes orphelines.
• N'oublie pas de mettre des chaussettes chaudes, il fait froid dehors.

The 'ankle socks' – des socquettes

When discussing different types of clothing, it's useful to know specific terms. For low-cut, ankle-length socks, the French word you need is des socquettes.

Des socquettes are what English speakers call 'ankle socks' or 'no-show socks'. They are short socks that stop at or just below the ankle, designed to be worn with low-cut shoes like sneakers (baskets) or loafers (mocassins).

The word socquette is a feminine noun. The singular form is une socquette, but you will almost always encounter it in its plural form, des socquettes, since socks are typically bought and worn in pairs.

It's important not to confuse des socquettes with the more general term for socks, des chaussettes. Think of it this way: all socquettes are a type of chaussettes, but not all chaussettes are socquettes. Chaussettes is the umbrella term for socks of any length.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'acheter des socquettes pour mes nouvelles baskets.

• En été, je ne porte que des socquettes avec mes chaussures.
• Il me manque une socquette, je ne la trouve pas !
• Ces socquettes sont invisibles quand je porte mes mocassins.

The 'knee-high socks' – des chaussettes hautes

The French term for 'knee-high socks' is des chaussettes hautes. This is a straightforward and literal description used in everyday language.

The phrase is composed of two parts: chaussettes, which means 'socks,' and hautes, the feminine plural form of the adjective haut ('high' or 'tall'). Together, they literally mean 'high socks'.

In French, nouns have a gender. Chaussette is a feminine noun. Therefore, any adjective describing it must also be in the feminine form. Since we are talking about a pair (plural), the adjective becomes hautes to agree with chaussettes.

You would use des chaussettes hautes in any context where you would say 'knee-high socks' in English, such as when shopping, describing an outfit, or talking about school uniforms. There isn't a common slang term for this; the literal description is standard.

💡 * J'ai acheté des chaussettes hautes pour mon uniforme scolaire.

• Elle porte une jupe avec des chaussettes hautes noires.
• En hiver, j'aime mettre des chaussettes hautes en laine pour rester au chaud.
• Où puis-je trouver des chaussettes hautes rouges ?

The 'no-show socks' – des protège-pieds

The French term for 'no-show socks' or 'liner socks' is des protège-pieds.

Literally, this translates to 'feet protectors.' The name comes from the verb protéger (to protect) and the noun pieds (feet), perfectly describing their function.

These are the socks you wear when you want the 'sockless' look with shoes like loafers, sneakers, or ballet flats. They protect your feet from blisters and your shoes from odors.

The term is masculine and typically used in its plural form, des protège-pieds, since socks come in pairs. The singular is un protège-pied.

Another common term you might encounter is chaussettes invisibles, which literally means 'invisible socks.' Both terms are widely understood and used.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'acheter des protège-pieds pour mes nouvelles chaussures.

• Tu ne portes pas de chaussettes ? Si, je porte des protège-pieds.
• Ces protège-pieds sont très confortables et ne glissent pas.
• En été, je préfère les protège-pieds aux chaussettes normales.

The 'sports socks' – des chaussettes de sport

The 'sports socks' – des chaussettes de sport

The French term for 'sports socks' is quite literal: des chaussettes de sport. This phrase breaks down simply into chaussettes (socks) and de sport (of sport/for sports). It's a straightforward and widely understood term for any athletic sock.

This term is used for any type of sock intended for athletic activities. While you can be more specific, for example, chaussettes de course (running socks) or chaussettes de randonnée (hiking socks), chaussettes de sport is the perfect general-purpose term.

When you're shopping in France or another French-speaking country, you'll find this term used in department stores, sporting goods stores like Decathlon, and online. Asking for des chaussettes de sport will direct you to the athletic apparel section.

Unlike some French vocabulary, des chaussettes de sport is a simple, direct translation. Remember this phrase, and you'll have no trouble finding athletic socks for your workout, run, or game.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'une nouvelle paire de chaussettes de sport. (I need a new pair of sports socks.)

• Où est-ce que je peux trouver des chaussettes de sport dans ce magasin ? (Where can I find sports socks in this store?)
• Ces chaussettes de sport sont parfaites pour le tennis. (These sports socks are perfect for tennis.)
• N'oublie pas de mettre tes chaussettes de sport dans ton sac de gym. (Don't forget to put your sports socks in your gym bag.)

The 'thick winter socks' – des grosses chaussettes

When you want to talk about those cozy, warm socks perfect for cold weather, the common French phrase is des grosses chaussettes. This literally translates to 'big socks' but is understood as 'thick socks'.

Let's break down the grammar. Chaussettes (socks) is a feminine plural noun. The adjective gros (big, thick) must agree with it, becoming grosses. As an adjective of size, it's placed before the noun, which is a common rule in French.

You would use des grosses chaussettes to describe any kind of thick, warm socks, whether they are made of wool, fleece, or another bulky material. It’s the perfect term for discussing winter clothing or getting comfortable at home.

💡 * J'ai acheté de grosses chaussettes en laine pour la randonnée. (I bought thick wool socks for the hike.)

• En hiver, rien de mieux que de grosses chaussettes et un bon livre. (In winter, there's nothing better than thick socks and a good book.)
• N'oublie pas de mettre tes grosses chaussettes, il fait très froid dehors ! (Don't forget to put on your thick socks, it's very cold outside!)

The 'dress socks' – des mi-bas

The 'dress socks' – des mi-bas

The term mi-bas literally translates to 'half-stockings.' It refers to knee-high socks, which are generally thinner than everyday socks and are considered a type of dress sock.

Men often wear des mi-bas with suits to ensure no skin is visible on the calf when they sit down. For women, they can be a comfortable alternative to full tights, especially under trousers or long skirts.

It's important to distinguish des mi-bas from des chaussettes, which are standard, shorter ankle or crew socks, and des bas, which typically refer to thigh-high stockings or the legs of a pair of tights.

💡 * Il porte toujours des mi-bas en fil d'Écosse avec ses costumes.

• J'ai acheté une paire de mi-bas pour aller avec ma nouvelle robe.
• Les mi-bas sont plus élégants que les chaussettes ordinaires pour une occasion formelle.

1. Wool Socks: Des Chaussettes en Laine

To say 'wool socks' in French, the most direct and common translation is des chaussettes en laine.

Let's break down this simple phrase. Des chaussettes means 'socks', and la laine means 'wool'. The preposition en is crucial here, as it's used to describe the material an object is made from. So, the literal translation is 'socks made of wool'.

This structure, [noun] + en + [material], is a fundamental pattern in French. You can use it for many other items. For example, un pull en coton (a cotton sweater) or une table en bois (a wooden table). It's a versatile and important rule to remember.

You'll use des chaussettes en laine in everyday situations, especially when shopping or talking about clothing for cold weather. Notice that chaussette is a feminine noun, so a single sock is une chaussette.

💡 * J'ai acheté des chaussettes en laine pour ma randonnée en montagne. (I bought wool socks for my mountain hike.)

• En hiver, je ne porte que des chaussettes en laine pour garder mes pieds au chaud. (In winter, I only wear wool socks to keep my feet warm.)
• Avez-vous des chaussettes en laine pour enfants ? (Do you have wool socks for children?)
• Ces chaussettes ne sont pas en laine, elles sont en coton. (These socks aren't wool, they are cotton.)

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

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

Our list features the most common and essential word, chaussettes. However, French also has more specific terms for different types of socks, as well as some regionalisms and slang that you might hear.

You can expand your vocabulary by doing an online search for specific types, like 'socquettes' (ankle socks) or 'chaussettes de sport' (athletic socks).

When you encounter a new word for 'sock', pay close attention to the context. A word used for a child's sock might not be the same one you'd use when shopping for formal wear.

As you engage with French media, from movies to online forums, keep an ear out for these variations. It’s a great way to pick up on natural, everyday language.

For a comprehensive look at related terms and phrases, the WordReference or Larousse dictionary entries for 'chaussette' are excellent resources.

I hope this guide was helpful! To leave you with a fun, related expression, in French you can 'retourner quelqu'un comme une chaussette'. It literally means 'to turn someone over like a sock,' and is used when you completely win someone over or figure them out. Happy learning!