You may already know the French word ‘chouchou’ – used for someone’s favourite, as a term of endearment or even to describe a sweet treat. But its related verb, ‘chouchouter’, can be used in several ways.
Why do I need to know chouchouter?
A good French word to know if you ever need to take extra care of someone or something.
What does it mean?
The French verb chouchouter, roughly pronounced shoo-shoo-tay (listen here), means to pamper, spoil someone and treat them with lots of affection and attention. It can also mean to take particularly good care of something.
It’s an informal word you might use to describe parents pampering their children, someone taking extra care of their partner, or even treating themselves to a little self-care. Unlike the French verb gâter (to spoil), which can have a negative connotation, chouchouter is generally positive – it’s about making someone feel loved, pampered and well cared for.
The verb comes from chouchou, a French word to describe someone’s favourite, for example le chouchou de la maîtresse means the teacher’s favourite pupil/ the teacher’s pet.
Chouchou itself is an affectionate repetition of chou, which literally means “cabbage” but has long been used as a term of endearment in French. You might hear mon chou or ma choute as affectionate ways of addressing someone.
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The verb chouchouter appeared in the 19th century. It developed from the idea of treating someone like a favourite – giving them extra attention and care.
Use it like this
Aujourd’hui c’est mon anniversaire, je vais me chouchouter un peu. – It’s my birthday today, so I’m going to pamper myself a little.
Elle adore chouchouter ses petits-enfants. – She loves spoiling her grandchildren.
Il faut chouchouter cette vieille voiture si on veut la garder longtemps. – You have to take good care of this old car if you want to keep it for a long time.
