Diminutives
Diminutives make nouns feel smaller, cuter, or more affectionate by adding tiny endings. They show nuance in tone and can vary by region.
Common Diminutives
Common diminutives attach to nouns and sometimes change the word's gender or form. They often come from Latin endings.
Diminutives in -et / -ette
The endings -et and -ette make small or cute versions, with -ette typically feminine. They attach to the noun stem.
| French Word | French Diminutive | English Word | English Diminutive |
|---|---|---|---|
| gâteau | petite gâtolette | cake | little cake |
| panier | petit panieret | basket | tiny basket |
| maison | maisonnette | house | small house |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧸 Le nounours est plus petit, c’est un oursonnet. | The teddy bear is smaller; it’s a little bear. |
| 🧢 La casquette du petit garçon est mignonne. | The little boy’s cap is cute. |
| 🧸 La poupette a une robe en dentelle. | The little doll has a lace dress. |
| 🍞 Le panet est parfait pour le goûter. | The small loaf is perfect for snack time. |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Diminutives in -let / -lette
Endings like -let and -lette add a delicate or charming nuance, often used in names or objects. They follow similar patterns to -et/-ette.
| French Word | French Diminutive | English Word | English Diminutive |
|---|---|---|---|
| plume | petite plumelette | feather | little feather |
| booklet | petit booklet | booklet | tiny booklet |
| étoile | étoilette | star | small star |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧸 Le couvlet est doux et moelleux. | The little blanket is soft and fluffy. |
| 🧼 La savonette sent bon le mimosa. | The little bar of soap smells like mimosa. |
| 🧺 Le panierlet est plein de fruits colorés. | The small basket is full of colorful fruits. |
| 🕯️ La veillettte éclaire doucement la chambre. | The little nightlight softly lights the room. |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Diminutives in -ot / -otte
The endings -ot and -otte give a rustic or affectionate feel and can alter the word more noticeably. They are common in nicknames.
| French Word | French Diminutive | English Word | English Diminutive |
|---|---|---|---|
| chat | chaton / chatotte | cat | kitten / little kitty |
| ferme | fermot / fermotte | farm | tiny farm |
| nez | nezot / nezotte | nose | little nose |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧸 Le peluchot a des yeux brillants. | The little plush has shining eyes. |
| 🥔 La patatotte rigole dans le panier. | The funny little potato laughs in the basket. |
| 🧢 Le bonnetot tient bien chaud à la tête. | The small hat keeps the head very warm. |
| 🥕 La carottote est toute croquante. | The little carrot is very crunchy. |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Regional Variations
Diminutive forms vary across French regions and dialects. Some endings are more popular in Provence, others in Quebec, and folk speech adds unique twists.
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Summary
Diminutives color nouns with smallness, affection, or charm through endings like -et, -ette, -let, -lette, -ot, and -otte. Usage depends on word gender, sound, and regional taste.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025