French baby talk, like other aspects of this language, is charmful. Aside from just being adorable, baby talk words in French can be extremely helpful for bilingual families, or maybe just an addition to a French enthusiast’s vocabulary. Are you ready for this adventure? Well, allez-y!
Why Learn French Baby Talk?
Oh you think baby talk has no use? Well, that isn’t the case. It can help simplify complex sounds, and even act as a bonding bridge for the parents with the baby! In France, French people use baby talk in ways that reflect their family life and cultural values, often differing from how other cultures approach early language development. The use of baby talk in French families highlights the importance of language in daily interactions and the unique ways languages shape communication with children.
French Baby Words You Need to Know
| French Baby Word | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Baba | Baby | Regarde le petit baba! (Look at the little baby!) |
| Doudou | Blankie/ Stuffed animal | Où est ton doudou? (Where is your blankie?) |
| Nounours | Teddy bear | Il aime son nounours. (He loves his teddy bear.) |
| Dodo | Sleep | C’est l’heure du dodo. (It’s bedtime.) |
| Miam-miam | Yummy | Miam-miam, c’est bon! (Yummy, it’s good!) |
| Caca | Poop | Il a fait caca. (He pooped.) |
| Le caca | Poop | Attention, il y a du caca dans la couche. (Careful, there is poop in the diaper.) |
| Faire caca | To poop | Tu veux faire caca, mon chéri ? (Do you want to poop, sweetheart?) |
| Pipi | Pee | On va faire pipi? (Are we going to pee?) |
| Wee wee | Pee | Tu veux faire wee wee avant de dormir ? (Do you want to go wee wee before bed?) |
| Rot | Burp | Fais un rot, bébé. (Burp, baby.) |
| Le prout | Fart | Qui a fait un prout ? (Who made a fart?) |
| Une flatulence | Flatulence | Une flatulence, c’est quand on a des gaz dans le ventre. (Flatulence is when you have gas in your tummy.) |
| Papa | Dad | Papa arrive! (Dad is arriving!) |
| Maman | Mom | Où est maman? (Where is mom?) |
| Câlin | Hug | Je veux un câlin. (I want a hug.) |
| Bisou | Kiss | Donne un bisou à maman. (Give mom a kiss.) |
| Joujou | Toy | Regarde ton joujou! (Look at your toy!) |
| Bobo | Ouchie/ Boo-boo | Tu as un bobo? (Do you have an ouchie?) |
| Coucou | Peek-a-boo | Coucou! Où est bébé? (Peek-a-boo! Where’s baby?) |
| Le zizi | Penis/Private parts | Ne touche pas à ton zizi, s’il te plaît. (Don’t touch your willy, please.) |
| Chien | Dog | Regarde le chien, il fait ouaf ouaf ! (Look at the dog, he goes woof woof!) |
| Kitty (chaton/minou) | Kitty | Le minou dort dans son panier. (The kitty is sleeping in its basket.) |
| Bed (lit) | Bed | Allez, on va au lit maintenant. (Come on, let’s go to bed now.) |
| Au dodo | Go to sleep | Il est tard, au dodo ! (It’s late, time to go to sleep!) |
French Words for Childcare
| French Childcare Word | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Couche | Diaper | Il faut changer la couche. (We need to change the diaper.) |
| Bain | Bath | C’est l’heure du bain. (It’s bath time.) |
| Tétine | Pacifier | Où est sa tétine? (Where is his/her pacifier?) |
| Biberon | Baby bottle | Le biberon est prêt. (The bottle is ready.) |
| Lait | Milk | Il veut du lait. (He/she wants milk.) |
| Purée | Mashed food | La purée de carottes est bonne. (The carrot purée is good.) |
| Berceau | Cot/ Crib | Bébé dort dans son berceau. (Baby is sleeping in his/her crib.) |
| Poussette | Stroller | On va se promener en poussette. (We’re going for a walk in the stroller.) |
| Lingettes | Wipes | J’ai besoin de lingettes. (I need wipes.) |
| Crème | Cream | Mets de la crème pour les fesses. (Put cream on the bottom.) |
| Thermomètre | Thermometer | On prend la température avec le thermomètre. (We take the temperature with the thermometer.) |
| Siège auto pour bébés | Baby car seat | Le siège auto pour bébés est essentiel pour la sécurité de bébé en voiture. (The baby car seat is essential for baby’s safety in the car.) |
| Pyjama | Pajamas/ Sleepsuit | Mets ton pyjama. (Put on your pajamas.) |
| Body | Onesie | Il porte un body propre. (He/she is wearing a clean onesie.) |
| Chaussettes | Socks | Ses petites chaussettes sont mignonnes. (His/her little socks are cute.) |
French Words to Call Your Baby
French parents love to call their baby some cute nicknames, want to know what they are? Here we go:
| French Word to call your Baby | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Mon petit chou | My little cabbage | Viens ici, mon petit chou! (Come here, my little cabbage!) |
| Poussin | Little chick | Tu es mon petit poussin. (You are my little chick.) |
| Loulou | Cutie/ Sweetie | Bonjour, loulou! (Hello, cutie!) |
| Mon trésor | My treasure | Tu es mon petit trésor. (You are my little treasure.) |
| Mon ange | My angel | Dors bien, mon ange. (Sleep well, my angel.) |
| Mon bébé d’amour | My baby of love | Je t’aime, mon bébé d’amour. (I love you, my baby of love.) |
| Mon cœur | My heart | Tu es mon petit cœur. (You are my little heart.) |
| Ma puce | My flea/ little one | Où est ma puce? (Where is my little one?) |
| Mon lapin | My rabbit | Regarde, mon petit lapin! (Look, my little rabbit!) |
| Mon chaton | My kitten | Tu es comme un petit chaton. (You are like a little kitten.) |
| Mon soleil | My sunshine | Tu illumines ma journée, mon soleil. (You brighten my day, my sunshine.) |
| Mon amour | My love | Mon amour, viens faire un câlin. (My love, come give a hug.) |
| Ma perle | My pearl | Tu es une petite perle rare. (You are a rare little pearl.) |
| Mon petit bouchon | My little cork | Viens là mon petit bouchon! (Come here my little cork!) |
| Mon loupiot | My little rascal/ scamp | Ah, mon loupiot, tu es coquin! (Ah, my little rascal, you are mischievous!) |
| Bon papa | Affectionate term for grandfather | Viens voir bon papa! (Come see grandpa!) |
| Grand-père | Grandfather | Mon grand-père me raconte des histoires. (My grandfather tells me stories.) |
| Grand-mère | Grandmother | J’aime cuisiner avec ma grand-mère. (I love cooking with my grandmother.) |
| Mamie | Grandma (affectionate) | Bonne nuit, mamie! (Good night, grandma!) |
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French Phrases for Baby Talk
| French Phrases for Baby Talk | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Fais dodo | Go to sleep |
| Tiens, voilà | Here you go |
| Qui est là? | Who’s there |
| C’est l’heure du bain | It’s bath time |
| On va faire un câlin | We’re going to give a hug |
| Donne un bisou | Give a kiss |
| Tu as faim? | Are you hungry? |
| C’est bon, ça | That’s good |
| Bravo, bébé | Good job, baby |
| Où est ton doudou? | Where is your blankie? |
| On va changer la couche | We’re going to change the diaper |
| Tu es mignon/ mignonne | You are cute |
| On va jouer | We’re going to play |
| Doucement, doucement | Gently, gently |
| Je t’aime très fort | I love you very much |
| Voici une liste de mots de bébé français | Here is a list of French baby words |
| C’est la première course de l’école | It’s the first class/course at school |
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French Words for Baby Things
| French Words for Baby things | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Landau | Pram/ Baby carriage | Le landau est parfait pour les promenades. (The pram is perfect for walks.) |
| Hochet | Rattle | Bébé aime son hochet coloré. (Baby loves his/her colorful rattle.) |
| Porte-bébé | Baby carrier | J’utilise le porte-bébé pour avoir les mains libres. (I use the baby carrier to have my hands free.) |
| Veilleuse | Nightlight | La veilleuse illumine doucement la chambre de bébé. (The night light gently illuminates the baby’s room.) |
| Couverture | Blanket | La couverture est douce et chaude. (The blanket is soft and warm.) |
| Tapis d’éveil | Playmat | Le tapis d’éveil a beaucoup de jouets. (The play mat has many toys.) |
| Bavoir | Bib | Mets le bavoir pour ne pas tacher tes vêtements. (Put on the bib so you don’t stain your clothes.) |
| Sucette | Pacifier | Il veut sa sucette pour dormir. (He/she wants his/her pacifier to sleep.) |
| Jouets de bain | Bath toys | Il joue avec ses jouets de bain. (He/she plays with his/her bath toys.) |
| Pots | Baby food jars | J’ai acheté des pots de légumes. (I bought jars of vegetable baby food.) |
| Thermomètre de bain | Bath thermometer | Vérifie la température avec le thermomètre de bain. (Check the temperature with the bath thermometer.) |
| Sac à langer | Diaper bag | J’ai tout dans le sac à langer. (I have everything in the diaper bag.) |
| Mouche-bébé | Nasal aspirator | J’utilise le mouche-bébé pour dégager son nez. (I use the nasal aspirator to clear his/her nose.) |
| Matelas à langer | Changing mat | Pose le bébé sur le matelas à langer. (Lay the baby on the changing mat.) |
| Tire-lait | Breast pump | Elle utilise un tire-lait électrique. (She uses an electric breast pump.) |
| Le lait | Milk | Le lait est essentiel pour les bébés, surtout le lait maternel. (Milk is essential for babies, especially breast milk.) |
| Note: | In English, the word “blanket” is commonly used for “couverture.” English speakers may also use the English word “bottle” for “biberon.” |
Bilingual Child Development
Raising a bilingual child is a rewarding journey. Bilingual children exposed to French are more likely to develop excellent listening and speaking skills, as well as a deep appreciation for French traditions. Access to resources like French audiobooks, children’s movies, and songs makes learning even more engaging, allowing kids to hear native speakers and expand their vocabulary in real-life contexts.
Plus, using affectionate terms like “grand papa” and “bonne maman” helps children connect with their family heritage and communicate with relatives.
Fun Tips for Learning French Baby Talk
Learning baby talk can be a fun experience as a young parent, here are some tips to make the process even more interesting:
- Sing French Lullabies: Instead of just saying “sing”, try learning the lyrics to “Au clair de la lune”. Practice singing it while rocking a doll or stuffed animal. You can find the lyrics and melodies online easily!
- Read French Baby Books: Look for books like “Petit Ours Brun” (Little Brown Bear), which are simple and popular. Read them aloud, pointing to the pictures and repeating the words.
- Watch French Children’s Shows: Watch “Peppa Pig en français” (Peppa Pig in French) or “T’choupi”. These shows use simple language and are designed for young children, making them easy to follow. You can also watch the cartoon titled “Petit Ours Brun”.
You can also visit French Language Learning Blog and explore more tips and resources related to the acquisition of French language.
A connection between a parent and their baby is priceless, and this connection can be strengthened and made joyful by making use of baby talk. From “mon petit chou” to several French words related to the everyday needs of a baby, we’ve laid it all out for you. For a richer French learning experience, you can explore La Forêt French Class and continue your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to teach a baby French?
Ans: You can speak to them in French consistently from birth. Using simple words and engaging with the baby using French songs, rhymes are all good ways to begin a foundational knowledge of French from birth.
2. Are there any specific French baby songs that are popular?
Ans: “Frère Jacques” and “Une souris verte” are the most common French baby songs out there.
