Doux (or its feminine form, douce) is a common way to say “sweet” in French. But just like in English, “sweet” can describe many things – from a delicious dessert to a kind person, or even a pleasant memory.As you navigate the nuances of the French language, you'll find that expressing these different kinds of "sweetness" requires a variety of words. Knowing these can help you convey exactly what you mean, whether you're complimenting a dish or someone's personality.Let's explore 9 different ways to say “sweet” in French, and discover when to use each one!

The general 'sweet' (soft, gentle, mild) – doux/douce

The general 'sweet' (soft, gentle, mild) – doux/douce

Doux/douce is a highly versatile French adjective meaning 'soft', 'gentle', or 'mild'. It's one of those words that captures a range of pleasant sensations and qualities, making it essential for descriptive language.

Like many French adjectives, doux/douce changes its form to agree with the noun it modifies in both gender and number:

doux: masculine singular (e.g., un tissu doux - a soft fabric)
douce: feminine singular (e.g., une voix douce - a gentle voice)
doux: masculine plural (e.g., des agneaux doux - gentle lambs)
douces: feminine plural (e.g., des nuits douces - mild nights)

One of its primary uses is to describe physical softness to the touch. Think of textures that are pleasant and yielding.

Doux/douce also conveys gentleness, whether it's a gentle action, a mild climate, or a soft sound. It implies a lack of harshness or intensity.

Beyond physical sensations, doux/douce can describe something pleasant, agreeable, or 'sweet' in a figurative sense, like a sweet personality, a mild flavor (not necessarily sugary), or a pleasant memory. For literal sugary sweetness, sucré is more common.

You'll often hear doux/douce in common expressions. For example, the phrase 'en douceur' means 'gently', 'smoothly', or 'softly', often referring to an action performed with care or without abruptness.

The adverbial form, doucement, directly translates to 'gently', 'softly', or 'slowly'. It's frequently used to give instructions or describe the manner of an action.

While doux/douce can sometimes imply a pleasant, mild flavor, it's generally not used for describing something literally 'sweet' with sugar. For that, the adjective sucré (sugary) is the correct choice. Doux/douce leans more towards 'mild' or 'smooth' when referring to taste, like a vin doux (sweet/mild wine).

💡 * Elle a une voix très douce. (She has a very gentle voice.)

Le tissu de cette écharpe est doux au toucher. (The fabric of this scarf is soft to the touch.)

Nous avons passé une douce soirée d'été. (We spent a mild/pleasant summer evening.)

Il faut manipuler ces objets fragiles en douceur. (These fragile objects must be handled gently.)

Le bébé a une peau douce. (The baby has soft skin.)

The 'sweet' as in sugary (for taste) – sucré/sucrée

The 'sweet' as in sugary (for taste) – sucré/sucrée

When you want to describe something as tasting sweet in French, the go-to adjective is sucré (masculine) or sucrée (feminine). This word specifically refers to the taste sensation of sugar.

You'll commonly hear sucré/sucrée used to talk about food, drinks, or dishes that contain sugar or have a sweet flavor. It's the direct opposite of salé (salty) or amer (bitter).

It's important to note that sucré/sucrée is primarily for taste. If you want to describe a person as 'sweet' (meaning kind or gentle), you would use adjectives like doux/douce or gentil/gentille, not sucré/sucrée.

For instance, you might say Ce gâteau est très sucré (This cake is very sweet) or Je préfère le thé non sucré (I prefer unsweetened tea). It directly addresses the sugar content or sweet taste profile.

The verb sucrer means 'to sweeten' or 'to add sugar to,' and le sucre is 'sugar' itself. So, sucré literally means 'sugared' or 'made sweet with sugar'.

Understanding sucré/sucrée is fundamental for navigating French cuisine and expressing your preferences, whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer things nature (plain/unsweetened).

💡 * J'adore les crêpes sucrées avec du Nutella. (I love sweet crepes with Nutella.)

Ce vin est un peu trop sucré à mon goût. (This wine is a bit too sweet for my taste.)

Elle prend toujours son café très sucré. (She always takes her coffee very sweet.)

Les desserts français sont souvent délicieusement sucrés. (French desserts are often deliciously sweet.)

The 'cute' or 'adorable' (for people, animals, objects) – mignon/mignonne

When you want to describe something as cute, adorable, or even charming in French, the adjective you're looking for is mignon or mignonne.

Like most French adjectives, mignon changes its form to agree with the noun it modifies in both gender and number: mignon (masculine singular), mignonne (feminine singular), mignons (masculine plural), and mignonnes (feminine plural).

This versatile adjective can be used for a wide range of subjects. You can describe a cute baby (un bébé mignon), an adorable kitten (un chaton mignon), or even a charming little house (une maison mignonne).

While primarily meaning 'cute' or 'adorable,' mignon/mignonne can also carry a sense of 'pretty' or 'charming,' especially when referring to people or things that are pleasing in a delicate or endearing way, rather than strikingly beautiful.

As a descriptive adjective, mignon/mignonne typically follows the noun it modifies. For example, you would say un chien mignon (a cute dog) and not un mignon chien.

You might also hear expressions like C'est mignon ! (That's cute!) or Qu'il est mignon ! / Qu'elle est mignonne ! (How cute he/she is!) to express endearment.

💡 * Elle a un petit chat mignon. (She has a cute little cat.)

Regarde ces chaussures, elles sont trop mignonnes ! (Look at these shoes, they are too cute!)

Ton bébé est vraiment mignon. (Your baby is really cute.)

C'est une mignonne petite histoire. (It's a charming little story.)

Les enfants étaient mignons dans leurs costumes. (The children were adorable in their costumes.)

The 'kind' or 'nice' (for a sweet-natured person) – gentil/gentille

The adjectives gentil (masculine singular) and gentille (feminine singular) translate to 'kind,' 'nice,' or 'sweet-natured' in English. They describe someone with a pleasant and benevolent disposition.

Like most French adjectives, gentil and gentille must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. The masculine plural form is gentils, and the feminine plural is gentilles. Remember to match the adjective's form to the noun's gender and quantity.

While often translated as 'nice,' gentil/gentille carries a stronger connotation of being good-hearted, friendly, and genuinely kind. It's used to describe someone's inherent character rather than just a fleeting pleasantry, often implying a sweet or docile nature, especially for children or animals.

💡 * Il est très gentil avec tout le monde. (He is very kind to everyone.)

Elle est une fille gentille et attentionnée. (She is a kind and thoughtful girl.)

Mes grands-parents sont toujours gentils. (My grandparents are always kind.)

C'est très gentil de votre part de m'aider. (That's very kind of you to help me.)

Les enfants ont été très gentils aujourd'hui. (The children were very well-behaved today.)

The 'pleasant' or 'agreeable' (for a sweet experience or disposition) – agréable

The 'pleasant' or 'agreeable' (for a sweet experience or disposition) – agréable

Agréable is a versatile French adjective that translates to 'pleasant,' 'agreeable,' or 'nice.' It describes something that causes pleasure or satisfaction.

You'll often use agréable to describe sensory experiences that are enjoyable, such as a pleasant taste, a nice smell, or a comfortable feeling. For instance, a delicious meal or a warm sunny day can be agréable.

Beyond experiences, agréable can also characterize people, places, or things that are pleasing in nature. An agréable person is someone with a nice personality, easy to get along with, while an agréable atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable.

As an adjective, agréable agrees in number with the noun it modifies. The plural form is agréables. However, it remains the same for both masculine and feminine singular nouns (e.g., un moment agréable, une odeur agréable).

This word is extremely common in everyday French and is a fundamental adjective for expressing positive sentiment about a wide range of subjects, from abstract concepts to concrete sensations.

💡 * C'est une odeur très agréable. (It's a very pleasant smell.)

J'ai passé un moment agréable avec mes amis. (I had a pleasant time with my friends.)

Ton nouveau collègue est vraiment agréable. (Your new colleague is really nice/agreeable.)

Nous avons eu une conversation agréable. (We had an agreeable conversation.)

Le climat ici est très agréable en été. (The climate here is very pleasant in summer.)

The 'charming' or 'delightful' (for a sweet, captivating person) – charmant/charmante

In French, the adjective charmant (masculine singular) and charmante (feminine singular) directly translates to “charming” or “delightful.” It describes someone or something that possesses an appealing quality, often evoking a sense of pleasantness or attraction.

When applied to a person, charmant/charmante signifies someone who is sweet, captivating, and pleasant to be around. It suggests a natural grace, a delightful personality, or an engaging demeanor that makes them attractive in a gentle, often wholesome way. It's often used for someone who is polite, kind, and leaves a very positive impression.

While frequently used for people, charmant/charmante can also describe objects, places, or situations. A charmant village, a charmante soirée, or a charmant cadeau all convey a sense of pleasantness, loveliness, or appeal. It implies something that is agreeable and brings joy.

Remember that charmant is an adjective, so it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, un homme charmant (a charming man), une femme charmante (a charming woman), des enfants charmants (charming children). It typically comes after the noun.

💡 * Elle est vraiment charmante avec tout le monde. (She is truly charming with everyone.)

J'ai passé une charmante soirée chez mes amis. (I spent a delightful evening at my friends' place.)

C'est un petit café très charmant. (It's a very charming little cafe.)

Il a un sourire charmant qui illumine son visage. (He has a charming smile that lights up his face.)

The 'adorable' (for something extremely sweet and lovable) – adorable

The French word adorable directly translates to 'adorable' in English, and it's used to describe something extremely sweet, cute, and lovable. It captures a sense of charm and endearment.

Adorable is an adjective that remains invariable in both gender and number. This means it doesn't change its form whether it's describing a masculine, feminine, singular, or plural noun, making it very straightforward to use.

You'll frequently hear adorable used for babies, small children, pets, and charming objects. It conveys a strong feeling of warmth and affection, often implying something that makes you smile or want to embrace it.

💡 * Ce chaton est absolument adorable. (This kitten is absolutely adorable.)

Regarde ce bébé, il est si adorable! (Look at that baby, he's so adorable!)

Elle a acheté une petite robe adorable pour sa fille. (She bought an adorable little dress for her daughter.)

Vos enfants sont adorables quand ils jouent ensemble. (Your children are adorable when they play together.)

J'ai vu un petit café adorable dans la vieille ville. (I saw an adorable little cafe in the old town.)

The 'delicious' (often implies a sweet taste in food) – délicieux/délicieuse

The 'delicious' (often implies a sweet taste in food) – délicieux/délicieuse

Délicieux (masculine singular) and délicieuse (feminine singular) are French adjectives meaning 'delicious' or 'delightful'. Like all French adjectives, they must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

Most commonly, délicieux/délicieuse is used to describe food that tastes wonderful. While it can apply to any dish, it often subtly implies a sweet or rich taste, particularly for desserts, pastries, or sweet fruits. However, it's perfectly appropriate for savory dishes as well.

Beyond food, délicieux/délicieuse can also describe experiences, moments, or even sensations as 'delightful' or 'charming'. This usage emphasizes pleasure and enjoyment, making it versatile for various pleasant situations.

💡 * Ce gâteau est vraiment délicieux! (This cake is truly delicious!)

La soupe que tu as préparée était délicieuse. (The soup you prepared was delicious.)

Nous avons passé une soirée délicieuse en famille. (We had a delightful evening with family.)

Ces fruits rouges sont délicieux et très frais. (These red berries are delicious and very fresh.)

Quel moment délicieux de se détendre au soleil! (What a delightful moment to relax in the sun!)

The 'sweetness' or 'sweet treat' – une douceur

The French word une douceur (feminine noun) has a lovely dual meaning. Literally, it translates to 'sweetness' or 'softness,' referring to a quality. However, it is very commonly used to mean 'a sweet treat' or 'a delicacy,' especially when referring to food.

In its abstract sense, une douceur can describe a gentle quality or sensation. For instance, you might refer to the 'sweetness' of a melody (la douceur d'une mélodie), the 'softness' of a fabric (la douceur du tissu), or the 'gentleness' of a person's touch (la douceur de son toucher). It evokes a sense of pleasant mildness.

Perhaps its most frequent modern usage is to denote 'a sweet treat,' 'a dessert,' or 'a delicacy.' When someone offers you une douceur, they are likely offering you a pastry, a piece of candy, a chocolate, or any small, delightful confection. It's a charming and often affectionate way to refer to something delicious and sweet to eat.

The phrase offrir une douceur (to offer a sweet treat) is very common. You might hear it in a bakery, at a friend's house, or in a restaurant. It implies a kind gesture of sharing something pleasant and often indulgent.

💡 * La douceur de son regard m'a réconforté. (The sweetness/gentleness of his gaze comforted me.)

J'apprécie la douceur de vivre à la campagne. (I appreciate the sweetness/gentle pace of life in the countryside.)

Après le repas, nous avons partagé quelques douceurs. (After the meal, we shared some sweet treats.)

Le boulanger prépare toujours de délicieuses douceurs. (The baker always prepares delicious sweet treats.)

Il m'a offert une petite douceur pour mon anniversaire. (He offered me a small sweet treat for my birthday.)

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

Our list features the most common ways to say 'sweet' in French. But the French language is rich with nuance, offering many other terms, from old-fashioned ones, to regional ones, to up-and-coming slang terms this middle-aged author might not even be aware of!

You can also do an online search for 'comment dire doux en ___' or 'comment dire sucré en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local variations.

You might find some interesting synonyms for 'sweet' in various contexts. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it yourself.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express 'sweetness' in its many forms, whether referring to taste, disposition, or a pleasant sensation.

And if you’re looking for ways to explore different facets of 'sweetness' or words related to it in French, the WordReference entries for doux and sucré are excellent places to start!

I hope you found this article helpful and that your French learning journey continues to be sweet! As the saying goes, 'Les petits plaisirs sont les plus doux.' (The small pleasures are the sweetest.)

9 ways to say "sweet" in French