Advertisement

French word of the Day: Nunuche

The Local (news@thelocal.com)
The Local ([email protected])
French word of the Day: Nunuche
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond"

If you feel like bad-mouthing someone, but in a nice way, this word is for you. 

Advertisement

Why do I need to know Nunuche?

Because it's a way of criticising a person or a thing, but in a mild and good-natured way. It's also very idiomatic.

What does it mean? 

Nunuche is used to mean that a person is naïve, silly, simple-minded, but ultimately not malicious. It can also be used for a thing that is silly or inconsequential.

If you have watched the popular French TV series Dix Pourcent (Call My Agent) then the character of PA Noémie is often described as nunuche - slightly silly and naïve but sweet.

If you're describing someone as this then it's usually an insult, albeit a mild one, but you might find people using it to describe themselves. In that case the translation might be more like 'ditzy'.

It comes from nunu, a very popular noun after World War I meaning “trifle, silliness,” something without importance or interest. As for uche, it was a typical Parisian slang suffix, connoting friendliness and tenderness. 

Advertisement

Nunuche is believed to have appeared in a Parisian workers’ district between 1925-1930 but now used across the country.

Use it like this

Cette fille est complètement nunuche, non ? – This girl is completely silly, isn’t she?

Arrête de faire ta nunuche ! – Stop acting silly!

Eric m’a raconté une histoire un peu nunuche qui le fait beaucoup rire. – Eric told me a slightly dumb story that makes him laugh of lot. 

Synonyms

Niais – Simple

Bébête – Goofy 

Idiot – Sappy

Fade – Vapid

Stupide – Dumb

Not to be confused with

Nounou - nanny or childminder. Although this word sounds slangy it's actually not, it's just a descriptive of someone who looks after children for a living. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also