9.3 Pets and animal vocabulary

French pet and animal vocabulary is essential for describing our furry friends and discussing wildlife. From common pets like le chien (dog) and le chat (cat) to farm animals like la vache (cow) and le cochon (pig), this topic covers a wide range of creatures.

Learning these terms allows you to express preferences, describe animal characteristics, and share opinions about pets. Whether you're talking about your favorite animal or discussing wildlife conservation, this vocabulary will help you communicate effectively in French.

French Pet and Animal Names

Common Pets

• Common pets in French include le chien (dog), le chat (cat), le poisson (fish), l'oiseau (bird), le lapin (rabbit), le hamster (hamster), la tortue (turtle), and le cochon d'Inde (guinea pig)
• Other popular pets in French-speaking countries are la souris (mouse), le furet (ferret), la perruche (parakeet), and le perroquet (parrot)
• Some exotic pets that are less common but still known in French include le lézard (lizard), le serpent (snake), l'araignée (spider), and le scorpion (scorpion)
• French terms for pet owners include un maître (master) for a dog owner, un propriétaire (owner) for other pets, and un gardien (guardian) for someone who cares for an animal

Farm and Livestock Animals

• Farm animals in French include la vache (cow), le cochon (pig), le cheval (horse), le mouton (sheep), la chèvre (goat), le canard (duck), l'oie (goose), and le poulet (chicken)
• Other livestock animals in French are le dindon (turkey), le lapin (rabbit), l'âne (donkey), le bœuf (ox), and le taureau (bull)
• Poultry animals in French include la dinde (turkey hen), la poule (hen), le coq (rooster), la caille (quail), and le pigeon (pigeon)
• Insects and small animals found on farms in French are l'abeille (bee), la fourmi (ant), le ver de terre (earthworm), la souris (mouse), and le rat (rat)

Wild and Zoo Animals

• Zoo and wild animals in French include le lion (lion), le tigre (tiger), l'éléphant (elephant), le singe (monkey), l'ours (bear), le loup (wolf), le renard (fox), and la girafe (giraffe)
• Other wild mammals in French are le léopard (leopard), la panthère (panther), le guépard (cheetah), le zèbre (zebra), l'hippopotame (hippopotamus), and le rhinocéros (rhinoceros)
• Wild birds in French include l'aigle (eagle), le faucon (falcon), le hibou (owl), la chouette (owl), le perroquet (parrot), le pingouin (penguin), and l'autruche (ostrich)
• Reptiles and amphibians in French are le crocodile (crocodile), l'alligator (alligator), le serpent (snake), le lézard (lizard), la tortue (turtle), la grenouille (frog), and le crapaud (toad)

Baby Animals and Collective Nouns

• French terms for baby animals include le chiot (puppy), le chaton (kitten), le poussin (chick), l'agneau (lamb), and le veau (calf)
• Other baby animal names in French are le baleineau (baby whale), l'éléphanteau (baby elephant), le lionceau (lion cub), le louveteau (wolf cub), and l'ourson (bear cub)
• Collective nouns for groups of animals in French include une meute (pack of wolves/dogs), un troupeau (herd of cattle/sheep), une colonie (colony of rabbits/penguins), un essaim (swarm of bees), and un banc (school of fish)
• Additional collective nouns are une volée (flock of birds), une portée (litter of puppies/kittens), une bande (group of animals), une compagnie (group of animals), and une harde (herd of deer)

French Adjectives for Describing Pets and Animals

Colors and Patterns

• Colors in French used to describe animals include blanc (white), noir (black), gris (gray), brun (brown), roux (red/ginger), orange (orange), and multicolore (multicolored)
• Other colors and patterns in French are jaune (yellow), vert (green), bleu (blue), violet (purple), rose (pink), tacheté (spotted), rayé (striped), and moucheté (speckled)
• Color combinations in French include noir et blanc (black and white), gris et blanc (gray and white), brun et blanc (brown and white), and tricolore (tricolored)
• Specific animal color terms in French are alezan (chestnut horse), bai (bay horse), aubère (dapple-gray horse), and isabelle (palomino horse)

Size, Stature, and Appearance

• Size and stature adjectives in French include petit (small), grand (big/tall), gros (fat), mince (thin/slim), court (short), and long (long)
• Texture and appearance adjectives in French include doux (soft/gentle), rude (rough/coarse), poilu (hairy/furry), lisse (smooth), beau (beautiful/handsome), and laid (ugly)
• Other appearance adjectives are élégant (elegant), majestueux (majestic), mignon (cute), adorable (adorable), féroce (fierce), and imposant (imposing)
• Specific animal appearance terms in French include tacheté (spotted), rayé (striped), à poils longs (long-haired), à poils courts (short-haired), and à poils frisés (curly-haired)

Personality and Temperament

• Personality and temperament adjectives in French include gentil (nice/kind), méchant (mean), amical (friendly), timide (shy), joueur (playful), paresseux (lazy), and intelligent (intelligent)
• Other personality adjectives are courageux (brave), peureux (fearful), curieux (curious), fidèle (faithful), obéissant (obedient), and têtu (stubborn)
• Specific animal behavior terms in French include chasseur (hunter), nageur (swimmer), grimpeur (climber), fouisseur (digger), and dormeur (sleeper)
• Comparative and superlative adjectives in French are formed with plus (more), moins (less), aussi (as), que (than/as), le/la/les plus (the most), and le/la/les moins (the least)

Preferences and Opinions about Pets and Animals in French

Expressing Likes and Dislikes

• Phrases to express likes and dislikes in French include j'aime (I like), je n'aime pas (I don't like), j'adore (I love), je déteste (I hate), and je préfère (I prefer)
  • These phrases can be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb, such as "J'aime les chats" (I like cats) or "Je n'aime pas promener le chien" (I don't like walking the dog)
• Other expressions for likes and dislikes are je suis fan de (I'm a fan of), je suis fou/folle de (I'm crazy about), je ne supporte pas (I can't stand), and je ne peux pas sentir (I can't stand)
• Phrases to express a strong liking or preference include je raffole de (I'm crazy about), je suis dingue de (I'm nuts about), and sans hésitation (without hesitation)
• Expressions for neutral feelings or indifference are ça m'est égal (it's all the same to me), je n'ai pas de préférence (I have no preference), and peu importe (it doesn't matter)

Sharing Opinions and Preferences

• Phrases to express opinions and preferences in French include je pense que (I think that), je trouve que (I find that), à mon avis (in my opinion), selon moi (according to me), and je crois que (I believe that)
  • These phrases are followed by a clause with a conjugated verb, such as "Je pense que les chiens sont plus affectueux que les chats" (I think dogs are more affectionate than cats)
• Other opinion expressions are j'ai l'impression que (I have the impression that), il me semble que (it seems to me that), je suis d'avis que (I am of the opinion that), and je suis persuadé(e) que (I am convinced that)
• Phrases to express agreement or disagreement with an opinion include je suis d'accord (I agree), je ne suis pas d'accord (I disagree), tu as raison (you're right), and tu as tort (you're wrong)
• Expressions for strong opinions or convictions are j'en suis certain(e) (I'm certain of it), j'en suis convaincu(e) (I'm convinced of it), and je n'en doute pas (I have no doubt about it)

Asking for Opinions and Preferences

• Phrases to ask for others' preferences and opinions in French include "Quel est ton animal préféré?" (What is your favorite animal?), "Aimes-tu les animaux?" (Do you like animals?), "Que penses-tu des serpents?" (What do you think about snakes?), and "Selon toi, quel animal fait le meilleur animal de compagnie?" (In your opinion, which animal makes the best pet?)
• Other questions to ask for opinions are "Que dirais-tu de...?" (What would you say about...?), "Qu'est-ce que tu en dis?" (What do you say about it?), and "Quel est ton avis sur...?" (What's your opinion on...?)
• Phrases to ask for a preference between options include "Tu préfères les chiens ou les chats?" (Do you prefer dogs or cats?), "Lequel préfères-tu : les oiseaux ou les poissons?" (Which do you prefer: birds or fish?), and "Si tu devais choisir, tu opterais pour quel animal de compagnie?" (If you had to choose, which pet would you opt for?)
• Expressions to ask for reasons behind an opinion or preference are "Pourquoi penses-tu cela?" (Why do you think that?), "Qu'est-ce qui te fait dire ça?" (What makes you say that?), and "Comment expliques-tu ta préférence?" (How do you explain your preference?)