The plural of "un chou" in French is choux.
Understanding "Chou"
The word "chou" (pronounced "shoo") is a masculine noun in French. Its primary meaning is "cabbage." However, it is also widely used as an endearing term, similar to "sweetheart," "dear," or "honey" in English. When used endearingly, it can refer to either a male or female, or even children.
The Pluralization Rule for Nouns Ending in "-ou"
In French, most singular nouns ending in "-ou" form their plural by simply adding an "-s" to the end (e.g., trou (hole) becomes trous; clou (nail) becomes clous).
However, "chou" is one of the seven exceptions to this general rule. These specific words form their plural by adding an "-x" instead of an "-s".
Here are the seven nouns that end in "-ou" and take an "-x" in the plural:
- bijou (jewel) → bijoux
- caillou (pebble) → cailloux
- chou (cabbage) → choux
- genou (knee) → genoux
- hibou (owl) → hiboux
- joujou (toy) → joujoux
- pou (louse) → poux
Singular and Plural Form
To illustrate, here's a quick look at the singular and plural forms of "chou":
| Form | Word | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | un chou | Masculine |
| Plural | choux | Masculine |
Common Usage and Contexts
The plural form "choux" can be found in various contexts, both literal and figurative:
- Literal Meaning (Cabbage):
- Des choux de Bruxelles (Brussels sprouts)
- Un plat de choux farcis (a dish of stuffed cabbages)
- Figurative Meaning (Endearment):
- Mes choux (my dears/sweethearts – used when addressing multiple people fondly).
- The phrase faire des choux gras (to make a lot of money, literally "to make fat cabbages").
- Culinary Contexts:
- Choux à la crème (cream puffs, literally "cabbage with cream," referring to the shape of the pastry).
- Pâté en croûte de chou (pâté in a cabbage crust).
Understanding these pluralization rules is fundamental for proper French grammar. For more details on French plural rules, you can explore resources like the Collins Dictionary's guide to French plurals.
