chouette

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owl, nice, great, lovely, great
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/ʃwɛt/
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A night bird whose name also brings a warm, informal note of approval or delight.

Examples

  • Nous avons aperçu une chouette au bord de la route.
    We spotted an owl beside the road.
  • Nos nouveaux voisins sont vraiment chouettes.
    Our new neighbours are really nice.
  • Chouette ! Tout le monde peut venir.
    Great! Everyone can come.
  • Chouette, il reste encore du gâteau !
    Great, there is still some cake left!
  • Il m'a offert un chouette cadeau.
    He gave me a great present.

Similar words

charmant
super
super
effraie
chevêche
agréable
génial
joli
rapace nocturne
chic

Meanings

Nocturnal bird without ear tufts

noun
animals
neutral
A nocturnal bird of prey traditionally distinguished from a hibou in French by the absence of visible ear tufts.

Examples

  • Une chouette hulule dans le vieux chêne.
    An owl is hooting in the old oak.
  • Nous avons aperçu une chouette au bord de la route.
    We spotted an owl beside the road.
  • La chouette chasse surtout la nuit.
    The owl hunts mainly at night.
  • Cette chouette n'a pas d'aigrettes sur la tête.
    This owl has no ear tufts on its head.
  • Le refuge soigne une chouette blessée.
    The rescue centre is treating an injured owl.

Similar words

Pleasant, attractive, or kind

adjective
evaluation
informal
An informal way to say that a person, thing, experience, or situation is pleasant, attractive, kind, or worthy of approval.

Examples

  • C'est chouette de vous revoir.
    It is great to see you again.
  • Elle a trouvé une chouette maison près de la mer.
    She found a lovely house near the sea.
  • Nos nouveaux voisins sont vraiment chouettes.
    Our new neighbours are really nice.
  • Il m'a offert un chouette cadeau.
    He gave me a great present.
  • Sois chouette et garde-moi une place.
    Be nice and save me a seat.

Similar words

Delighted approval

interjection
emotion
informal
An informal exclamation showing pleasure, satisfaction, or happy excitement at good news.

Examples

  • Chouette ! Nous partons demain.
    Great! We are leaving tomorrow.
  • Chouette, j'ai enfin réussi l'examen !
    Hooray, I finally passed the exam!
  • Chouette ! Le concert n'est pas annulé.
    Great! The concert has not been cancelled.
  • Chouette, il reste encore du gâteau !
    Great, there is still some cake left!
  • Chouette ! Tout le monde peut venir.
    Great! Everyone can come.

Similar words

Etymology

The bird name comes from Old French choete or çuete, a diminutive related to choe, meaning a jackdaw. The approving adjective and exclamation developed later from the same word.

FAQ

What does chouette mean?

Chouette can mean an owl, describe something as nice or great, or express delight like great!

What is the difference between chouette and hibou?

In everyday French, a chouette has no visible ear tufts, while a hibou has feather tufts that look like ears.

Is chouette informal?

The bird noun is neutral. The approving adjective and exclamation chouette are informal.

Does the adjective chouette change for gender?

No. It stays chouette in the singular for masculine and feminine nouns, and takes -s in the plural.

How do you pronounce chouette?

Chouette is pronounced /ʃwɛt/, as one syllable with the final t heard.

Where does chouette come from?

The bird name chouette comes from the Old French diminutive choete or çuete.

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