Cadeau is undoubtedly the most common and direct way to say 'gift' in French. But just like a beautifully wrapped present, the French language holds several delightful surprises when it comes to expressing this idea.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, a holiday, or simply want to show appreciation, knowing the various terms for 'gift' can significantly enrich your vocabulary and make your French sound much more natural.

So, let's unwrap 9 wonderful ways to say 'gift' in French, exploring their nuances and when to use each one!

The standard 'gift' or 'present' – cadeau

Cadeau is the most common and standard word for 'gift' or 'present' in French.

As a masculine noun, cadeau has simple forms: un cadeau (a gift) and des cadeaux (gifts). Note that the plural adds an x to the end, not an s, which is common for nouns ending in -eau.

You can use cadeau in virtually any situation, from formal occasions like a wedding to informal ones among friends. It's universally understood and appropriate.

While primarily referring to a physical present, cadeau can also be used metaphorically, much like in English, to describe something beneficial or unexpected that feels like a 'gift'.

The most common verbs used with cadeau are offrir (to offer/give a gift) and recevoir (to receive a gift). You might also hear phrases like faire un cadeau (to make/give a gift) or c'est un cadeau (it's a gift, often implying it's free or a bonus).

For example, you could say J'ai offert un beau cadeau à ma mère pour son anniversaire (I gave a beautiful gift to my mother for her birthday). Or, if something is free, Ce petit sac est un cadeau avec votre achat (This small bag is a gift with your purchase).

There are no significant exceptions or tricky nuances with cadeau itself. Its meaning is quite straightforward. The main point to remember is its masculine gender and plural form (cadeaux).

The meaning of cadeau is almost always clear from context, whether it's a birthday present, a holiday gift, or a metaphorical 'gift' of good fortune.

In French culture, gift-giving is often accompanied by thoughtful presentation and a card. While spontaneous gifts are appreciated, special occasions like birthdays, Christmas, and housewarmings are key times for exchanging cadeaux.

💡 * J'ai acheté un cadeau pour mon ami. (I bought a gift for my friend.)

Elle a reçu de nombreux cadeaux pour son mariage. (She received many gifts for her wedding.)

C'est un petit cadeau pour vous remercier. (It's a small gift to thank you.)

Les enfants étaient ravis de leurs cadeaux de Noël. (The children were delighted with their Christmas presents.)

Quel beau cadeau ! (What a beautiful gift!)

The formal 'present' or 'offering' – présent

While cadeau is the most common word for a 'gift' in French, the word présent also means 'present' or 'offering', but it carries a much more formal or official connotation.

You'll encounter présent in contexts where an offering is made with a certain gravitas, often in official ceremonies, diplomatic exchanges, or formal presentations. It suggests something given with respect or as a formal gesture.

Think of cadeau as a birthday gift from a friend, and présent as a formal offering to a dignitary or a presentation of research. It's less about personal affection and more about a formal act of giving or showing.

This word is directly related to the verb présenter (to present, to introduce, to offer). When you make a présent, you are literally 'presenting' something in a formal manner.

Beyond a physical offering, présent can also refer to a 'presentation' in a business or academic sense (e.g., faire une présentation), or even abstract offerings like présenter ses condoléances (to offer one's condolences).

Remember présent for its formality and association with serious or official acts of giving, contrasting sharply with the everyday joy of receiving a cadeau.

💡 * Le président a fait un présent à la délégation étrangère. (The president made a present to the foreign delegation.)

Elle a préparé un présent pour la conférence. (She prepared a presentation for the conference.)

Nous avons reçu un présent symbolique de la part de l'entreprise. (We received a symbolic offering from the company.)

Il est important de présenter ses respects lors de la cérémonie. (It is important to offer one's respects during the ceremony.)

Ce présent témoigne de notre gratitude. (This offering is a testament to our gratitude.)

The 'donation' or 'talent/gift' – don

The French word don is a versatile term that can refer to either a 'donation' or a 'talent' or 'gift'.

Its most common meaning is a donation, often referring to money, goods, or even blood given to a charity or cause. It implies giving without expectation of return.

Don can also describe a natural talent or a special gift someone possesses, like a 'gift for music' or a 'talent for languages'. In this sense, it's an innate ability.

It's important to distinguish don from cadeau. While both can mean 'gift,' a cadeau is typically a present given on an occasion (like a birthday), whereas a don (as a gift) refers to an inherent ability, or (as a donation) is given for a cause.

Regardless of its meaning, don is always a masculine noun in French: un don.

As with many French words, the specific meaning of don will become clear from the context of the sentence. Pay attention to surrounding words to understand if it refers to a contribution or an inherent skill.

💡 * Il a fait un don important à l'association. (He made a significant donation to the association.)* Le don du sang est essentiel. (Blood donation is essential.)* Elle a un don pour la musique. (She has a gift for music.)* Son don pour les langues est impressionnant. (His talent for languages is impressive.)* Nous avons besoin de dons pour construire l'école. (We need donations to build the school.)

The 'offering' (often religious) or 'tribute' – offrande

The 'offering' (often religious) or 'tribute' – offrande. This French feminine noun translates directly to 'offering' or 'tribute' in English, carrying a sense of something given with respect or devotion.

Its most common usage is within religious or ceremonial settings, where une offrande denotes a gift or sacrifice made to a deity, a spirit, or as part of a sacred ritual. Think of offerings laid at an altar or shrine.

Beyond the sacred, offrande can also be used in a more figurative or poetic sense to describe a symbolic tribute, a heartfelt gift, or an act of dedication. It always implies a meaningful presentation rather than a simple exchange.

💡 * Les fidèles ont déposé leurs offrandes à l'autel. (The faithful laid their offerings at the altar.)

Le poète a dédié cette offrande à sa muse. (The poet dedicated this tribute to his muse.)

Les offrandes florales ont été laissées au pied du monument. (The floral offerings were left at the foot of the monument.)

Son travail est une offrande à l'art et à la beauté. (His work is an offering to art and beauty.)

The 'generous gift' (often legal) – libéralité

The 'generous gift' (often legal) – libéralité

Libéralité refers to a generous act or gift, often with a significant value or legal implication. It implies a voluntary transfer of wealth without expectation of return.

Unlike a casual cadeau (gift), libéralité is typically used in formal contexts, especially in legal language concerning donations, wills, and inheritances. It signifies a legally binding act of generosity.

In French law, libéralités are subject to specific rules and regulations, such as those governing donations (donations) or legacies (legs). This term highlights the legal framework surrounding such generous transfers.

While a cadeau is any present, big or small, libéralité specifically denotes a significant, often formal, and legally recognized act of giving, typically involving substantial assets.

💡 * Une donation est une forme de libéralité. (A donation is a form of generous gift/transfer.)

Le testament contenait plusieurs libéralités en faveur de ses neveux. (The will contained several generous provisions in favor of his nephews.)

Les libéralités entre époux sont soumises à des règles spécifiques. (Generous transfers between spouses are subject to specific rules.)

Cet acte de libéralité a été enregistré chez le notaire. (This act of generosity was registered with the notary.)

Il a fait preuve d'une grande libéralité envers les œuvres de charité. (He showed great generosity towards charitable works.)

The 'reward' or 'bonus' – gratification

The French word gratification is a versatile noun that can mean both a "reward" or "bonus" (often monetary) and a feeling of "gratification" or "satisfaction." It stems from the Latin gratus, meaning "pleasing" or "thankful."

In a professional or financial context, gratification often refers to a sum of money given as a bonus, a gratuity, or a payment for an internship. It's a formal term, commonly used in administrative or legal documents, particularly regarding employee benefits or intern stipends.

Beyond its monetary sense, gratification also describes the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction derived from an action, an achievement, or the fulfillment of a desire. This usage closely aligns with the English word "gratification," referring to a deep, often personal, sense of reward.

While gratification can overlap with prime (a specific bonus, often performance-based) or récompense (a general reward), it carries a nuance of either a formal, sometimes statutory, payment (like for internships) or a more abstract, psychological satisfaction. It's less informal than a simple "tip" (pourboire).

To summarize, use gratification when referring to a formal monetary bonus or payment, especially for interns, or when expressing a profound sense of personal satisfaction or contentment. Its dual meaning makes it a rich word to integrate into your French vocabulary.

💡 *Il a reçu une gratification exceptionnelle pour son travail acharné. (He received an exceptional bonus for his hard work.)
*La gratification de stage est obligatoire pour les stages de plus de deux mois en France. (Internship payment is mandatory for internships longer than two months in France.)
*La lecture de ce roman fut une véritable gratification intellectuelle. (Reading this novel was a true intellectual gratification.)
*Elle recherche une gratification immédiate dans tout ce qu'elle entreprend. (She seeks immediate gratification in everything she undertakes.)

The 'keepsake' or 'memento' – souvenir

In French, the word souvenir (pronounced soo-vuh-NEER) is commonly used as a masculine noun to mean a 'keepsake' or 'memento'.

While souvenir is also a verb meaning 'to remember,' its noun form specifically refers to an object that helps you recall a memory or an event, such as a gift from a trip or a small item from a special occasion.

As a noun, souvenir is always masculine. You will use it with the indefinite article un (un souvenir) or the definite article le (le souvenir). Its plural form is des souvenirs.

💡 * J'ai acheté ce petit porte-clés comme souvenir de Paris. (I bought this small keychain as a souvenir from Paris.)

Ces photos sont de précieux souvenirs de notre mariage. (These photos are precious mementos of our wedding.)

Elle garde toujours la coquille comme un souvenir de leur voyage à la plage. (She always keeps the seashell as a keepsake from their beach trip.)

Ce vieux carnet est rempli de souvenirs de mon enfance. (This old notebook is full of mementos from my childhood.)

The 'New Year's gift' or 'bonus' – étrennes

The French word étrennes (always plural) refers primarily to New Year's gifts, particularly those given to children, or a New Year's bonus given to employees or service workers.

It's deeply rooted in French tradition, where it's customary to offer étrennes around January 1st. This can be money, presents, or even small tokens of appreciation.

Beyond New Year, étrennes can also signify a tip or a bonus given on special occasions, though this usage is less common than its New Year's context. Think of it as a goodwill gesture.

Remember, étrennes is always used in the plural form, even when referring to a single gift or bonus. It's almost exclusively used as a noun.

💡 * Les grands-parents ont donné des étrennes à leurs petits-enfants. (The grandparents gave New Year's gifts to their grandchildren.)

J'ai reçu des étrennes de mon employeur. (I received a New Year's bonus from my employer.)

C'est la tradition de donner des étrennes au facteur. (It's the tradition to give a New Year's tip to the postman.)

Combien donnez-vous d'étrennes à la gardienne? (How much New Year's tip do you give to the babysitter?)

The 'favor' or 'good deed' – bienfait

The French word for 'favor' or 'good deed' is bienfait. This masculine noun literally translates to 'well-done' or 'good act', embodying the idea of a beneficial action or a kindness extended to someone.

In its most common usage, bienfait refers to a good deed, a kindness, or a favor that benefits someone. It implies an action that brings positive outcomes or assistance, often with a sense of generosity.

Beyond a singular action, bienfait can also denote a benefit or advantage derived from something. For instance, the 'bienfaits' of exercise or a healthy diet refer to the positive effects they have on one's well-being.

The plural form of bienfait is bienfaits. When referring to multiple good deeds or several benefits, you would use this plural form. The 's' is typically silent, but its presence signifies plurality.

💡 * Un petit bienfait peut changer la journée de quelqu'un. (A small good deed can change someone's day.)

Les bienfaits du soleil sont nombreux, mais il faut se protéger. (The benefits of the sun are numerous, but one must protect oneself.)

Je lui dois un bienfait pour son aide précieuse. (I owe him a favor for his precious help.)

Elle a accompli de nombreux bienfaits pour la communauté locale. (She accomplished many good deeds for the local community.)

Appréciez les bienfaits d'une bonne nuit de sommeil. (Appreciate the benefits of a good night's sleep.)

Are there other ways to say 'gift' in French?

Are there other ways to say “gift” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “gift” in French. However, the French language, like any other, is rich with nuances. You might encounter older terms, regional expressions, or even emerging slang for 'gift' that this author might not be fully aware of!

To explore further, you can also do an online search for “comment dire cadeau en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local variations.

You might find some interesting synonyms for cadeau or related concepts on this list. As always, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it yourself.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to talk about gifts, presents, or offerings.

And if you’re looking for more ways to talk about different kinds of gifts, or words related to giving in French, the WordReference entry for cadeau is an excellent place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s a fitting proverb to reflect on the spirit of giving: Il n'y a pas de petit cadeau, il n'y a que de petits cœurs. (There is no small gift, there are only small hearts.)

9 ways to say "gift" in French