Question for the French among us

[caleb35]

I'm hoping that someone far more knowledgeable than me can weigh in on something. I'm drafting a story where one of the characters is French and peppers their English speech with French words. With that said, what's the best French translation for "ass" (as in, dat ass)?

• Cul?
• Fesses?
• Derrière?

Thanks in advance for your help. Merci beaucoup

 

[anthrodisiac]

Don't speak French, but do use non-English words for characters from elsewhere that have primary languages other than English. So while I can't help you on the specifics, I will say that the context is incredibly important for word choice.

How it's intended is important (I know you're example is "dat ass," but if the character uses the same term in wildly different contexts, it's breaking the sense of a native French speaker that you're trying to cultivate). If it's meant more playfully it might be a different word than if it's used more derogatorily. (Pussy vs. gash). Is it being used between friends to refer to someone else, or directly to the person in question? (Damn, dude, that's a fine piece of ass vs. Nice butt, babe). Is it a man or woman saying it? (Tit vs. boob).

There are more considerations, but those are some key ones to factor into how you want to make that choice, and which word will best suit your needs.

 

[caleb35]

Don't speak French, but do use non-English words for characters from elsewhere that have primary languages other than English. So while I can't help you on the specifics, I will say that the context is incredibly important for word choice.

How it's intended is important (I know you're example is "dat ass," but if the character uses the same term in wildly different contexts, it's breaking the sense of a native French speaker that you're trying to cultivate). If it's meant more playfully it might be a different word than if it's used more derogatorily. (Pussy vs. gash). Is it being used between friends to refer to someone else, or directly to the person in question? (Damn, dude, that's a fine piece of ass vs. Nice butt, babe). Is it a man or woman saying it? (Tit vs. boob).

There are more considerations, but those are some key ones to factor into how you want to make that choice, and which word will best suit your needs.

Good point, thanks. Right now I'm thinking of it being during a sexual encounter, not too playful, specifically the statement (or something along the lines of), "Yes, even your ass," meant to convey the scope of what that encounter will contain. I'm guessing either "cul" or "fesses" is the right way to go but I'm guessing.

 

[anthrodisiac]

Good point, thanks. Right now I'm thinking of it being during a sexual encounter, not too playful, specifically the statement (or something along the lines of), "Yes, even your ass," meant to convey the scope of what that encounter will contain. I'm guessing either "cul" or "fesses" is the right way to go but I'm guessing.

If it's "even your ass" as in anal/anus/asshole, that might be a totally different term than if you're referring to the buttocks. English tends to use ass interchangably for butt and anus, and some other languages probably do as well, but it might be an important distinction.

 

[DEFCOM5]

An ass is a Cul.

Fesses is buttock // butt cheeks

Derriere is behind

Allez la France!

 

[DEFCOM5]

During a sex event, you will never use fesses but Cul.

For example, you would say "Tu as un cul d'enfer" which the litteral translation means "You have an ass from hell" but it means "your ass is incredible"

Encule means fucked in the ass and is an insult.

 

[DEFCOM5]

Another example is if the guy wants to ask if he can come on the woman ass, he will ask "est ce que je peux jouir sur ton cul?"
The woman will ask "Cover my ass with cum" with "couvre mon cul avec ton sperme."

Fesses is too proper and super bourgeois during a sex act.

 

[DEFCOM5]

@caleb35, let me know if you want more information ....

 

[caleb35]

During a sex event, you will never use fesses but Cul.

THAT's what I needed to know -- I will presume you are an expert on the language thanks for the insight

 

[DEFCOM5]

THAT's what I needed to know -- I will presume you are an expert on the language thanks for the insight

Born and raised! Left France when I was 24.

I do like my porn in French but hard to find good ones that is not vintage ....

 

[caleb35]

Born and raised! Left France when I was 24.

I do like my porn in French but hard to find good ones that is not vintage ....

Oh, one quick related question -- if someone was to be nicknamed "Mouse" -- would that be Souris or La Souris?

 

[DEFCOM5]

Oh, one quick related question -- if someone was to be nicknamed "Mouse" -- would that be Souris or La Souris?

Souris would only be given to a woman as a nickname.

You would call her Souris to her her face e.g. "Souris, you look so hot without your panties"

You would say La Souris when you talk about her to other "I spent the night with La Souris and she won't able to walk straight this morning

And Sourie means smile

 

[caleb35]

I appreciate the assistance, @DEFCOM5

 

[DEFCOM5]

I appreciate the assistance, @DEFCOM5

Anytime! Just ask!

I really do not like when writers are trying to use another language and get it wrong. Kills the mood for me!

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

Fesses is too proper and super bourgeois during a sex act.

Raises a somewhat ironic question: Do we think that the sort of bourgeois people who live on a cul-de-sac would be too embarrassed to say the word ‘cul’ during sex?

 

[DEFCOM5]

Raises a somewhat ironic question: Do we think that the sort of bourgeois people who live on a cul-de-sac would be too embarrassed to say the word ‘cul’ during sex?

We do not say cul de sac in France. We says sans-issue i.e. without exit.

Cul de sac i.e. ass of a bag is a REALLY OLD term

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

We do not say cul de sac in France. We says sans-issue i.e. without exit.

I didn’t know it wasn’t used in France. Funny. I was just being silly and making a gag about the popular perception of curtain-twitchers. Curiously, if we’re making bad jokes about culs, I realize my own is, obviously, not sans issue but it’s always been a rue à sens unique.

 

[DEFCOM5]

I didn’t know it wasn’t used in France. Funny. I was just being silly and making a gag about the popular perception of curtain-twitchers.

Very old bourge would still use it with a certain disdain in their voice as they address you

Curiously, if we’re making bad jokes about culs, I realize my own is, obviously, not sans issue but it’s always been a rue à sens unique.

Thankyou for making me laugh. I needed it!