chouchouter
pamper
Definition & meaning
The French verb "chouchouter" means to pamper, to spoil (in an affectionate way), or to lavish attention on someone. It is used when someone is treated with great care, tenderness, or indulgence — for example, parents who pamper their child or someone who takes very good care of a loved one.
It conveys a gentle, affectionate sense — not negative like spoiling someone in excess, but rather caring and giving comfort.
Example in context: Elle aime bien chouchouter ses amis — “She likes to pamper her friends.”
Grammar & Word origin
Part of speech: Verb (regular, 1st group)
Conjugation pattern: Follows verbs ending in -er (e.g., je chouchoute, nous chouchoutons, ils chouchoutent).
Word origin: Likely derived from the diminutive chou (meaning cabbage but used as a term of endearment equivalent to sweetheart or darling in French) and the repetition or reduplication (chou-chou) that adds a tender, childish or affectionate nuance. The suffix -ter forms the verb “to treat like a darling.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- — to cuddle, to pamper gently
- — to spoil (someone affectionately)
- — to caress with words or gestures
Antonyms:
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Examples
Pourquoi veux-tu tant chouchouter tes plantes cette semaine ?verb
Why do you want to pamper your plants so much this week?
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