Doux (or its feminine form, douce) is likely the first word that comes to mind when you want to say “soft” in French. But the French language, with its rich nuances, offers many other ways to express this concept, each with its own subtle shade of meaning. Whether you're describing a soft fabric, a gentle sound, or a tender personality, knowing a variety of terms will elevate your French and make your conversations more precise and engaging. Let’s explore 9 different ways to say “soft” in French and discover how to use them effectively!

The standard 'soft' or 'gentle' – doux/douce

The standard 'soft' or 'gentle' – doux/douce

Doux/douce is the most common and versatile French adjective for 'soft' or 'gentle'.

Like many French adjectives, doux/douce must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Here are its forms:doux - masculine singular (e.g., un chat doux - a soft cat)douce - feminine singular (e.g., une voix douce - a gentle voice)doux - masculine plural (e.g., des draps doux - soft sheets)douces - feminine plural (e.g., des lumières douces - soft lights)

This adjective is highly versatile and can be used in almost any context, from describing physical sensations to abstract qualities. It’s a perfect go-to word to express tenderness, mildness, or smoothness.

Beyond 'soft' and 'gentle', doux/douce can also convey 'mild' (for weather or flavor), 'sweet' (for taste, though sucré is more common for sugary), or even 'smooth' and 'mellow' (for sounds or drinks).

The adverbial form of doux/douce is doucement, meaning 'softly', 'gently', or 'slowly'. It's commonly used to describe actions rather than qualities, for instance, Parlez doucement (Speak softly) or Allez doucement (Go gently/slowly).

You'll often hear doux/douce in common expressions:Faire doux - to be mild (referring to weather, e.g., Il fait doux aujourd'hui - It's mild today).Une douce nuit - a sweet/pleasant night.Avoir la main douce - to have a gentle hand.

While doux/douce covers a broad range, it's distinct from moelleux (often used for soft cakes or fabrics with a deep, yielding softness) or tendre (tender, often for meat or a tender feeling).

The precise meaning of doux/douce is almost always clear from the context. Whether describing a soft blanket, a gentle breeze, or a mild flavor, the surrounding words will guide your understanding.

In French culture, 'douceur' (the noun form of doux/douce, meaning softness, gentleness, or sweetness) is a highly valued quality, often associated with comfort, kindness, and pleasant sensations. It evokes a sense of well-being.

💡 * Ce tissu est très doux. (This fabric is very soft.)* Elle a une voix douce. (She has a gentle voice.)* Il fait doux aujourd'hui. (It's mild today.)* J'aime les saveurs douces. (I like mild flavors.)* Passe-moi la couverture douce. (Pass me the soft blanket.)* Les paroles douces apaisent le cœur. (Gentle words soothe the heart.)

The 'soft' (like a cake or cushion) – moelleux/moelleuse

When you want to describe something as 'soft' in French, especially in the context of food or comfortable objects, the adjective you'll often hear is moelleux (masculine) or moelleuse (feminine).

Moelleux translates to 'soft,' 'tender,' or 'spongy,' often implying a pleasant, yielding quality. It's distinct from other words for 'soft' like doux (soft to the touch) or mou (flabby, not firm).

Like many French adjectives, moelleux changes its ending to agree with the noun it modifies. You'll use moelleux for masculine nouns (e.g., un gâteau moelleux - a soft cake) and moelleuse for feminine nouns (e.g., une texture moelleuse - a soft texture).

One of the most common applications of moelleux is to describe food items. Think of a cake that's perfectly light and airy, or bread that's wonderfully tender on the inside. This adjective perfectly captures that delightful, yielding quality.

Moelleux also applies to certain objects, conveying a sense of comfort and plushness. It can describe a soft cushion, a comfortable armchair, or even a particular type of fabric that feels luxurious and yielding.

While doux refers to something soft to the touch (like a kitten's fur or a gentle breeze), and mou can sometimes imply a lack of firmness or even something a bit limp, moelleux specifically highlights a pleasant, springy, or tender softness, particularly desirable in food and comfortable items.

Learning to use moelleux/moelleuse correctly will significantly enhance your ability to describe delicious food and cozy environments in French, adding a layer of descriptive richness to your vocabulary.

💡 * Ce gâteau au chocolat est vraiment moelleux. (This chocolate cake is really soft/moist.)

• J'adore le pain moelleux de cette boulangerie. (I love the soft bread from this bakery.)
• Ces coussins sont très moelleux et confortables. (These cushions are very soft and comfortable.)
• La texture de cette mousse est incroyablement moelleuse. (The texture of this mousse is incredibly soft/smooth.)
• Cette couverture en laine est si moelleuse. (This wool blanket is so plush/soft.)

The 'tender' or 'soft' (like meat or a heart) – tendre

The French adjective tendre is a versatile word that translates to 'tender' or 'soft' in English. It's used in a variety of contexts, from physical softness to emotional gentleness.

One of the most common uses of tendre is to describe something that is physically soft or tender. This applies to food, like meat or vegetables, as well as to skin, fabric, or even a pillow.

Beyond the physical, tendre also conveys a sense of emotional tenderness or gentleness. It can describe a person's character, a loving gaze, a heartwarming moment, or a sensitive heart.

Less common but still relevant, tendre can sometimes describe something young or delicate, like a 'tendre enfance' (tender childhood) or a 'tendre pousse' (tender shoot of a plant).

As an adjective, tendre agrees in number with the noun it modifies. For example, 'une viande tendre' (tender meat) or 'des moments tendres' (tender moments). Note that the form of tendre itself does not change for masculine or feminine singular, only for plural where it becomes tendres.

💡 * La viande est très tendre. (The meat is very tender.)

• Il a un cœur tendre. (He has a tender heart.)
• Elle lui a jeté un regard tendre. (She cast him a tender glance.)
• Ce sont des souvenirs tendres. (These are tender memories.)
• Elle a les mains tendres. (She has soft hands.)

The 'flexible' or 'pliable' soft – souple

The French adjective souple directly translates to "flexible," "pliable," or "supple" in English. It describes something that can be easily bent or moved without resistance.

Its most common usage refers to physical attributes. You can describe a souple body (like that of a gymnast), a souple material (such as a soft fabric or a bendable wire), or a souple branch (a flexible tree branch).

Beyond the physical, souple extends to abstract concepts. It can describe a plan that is "flexible" or "adaptable," a rule that is not rigid, or even a person's character that is "malleable" or "open to change." It conveys a sense of ease and lack of stiffness, whether literal or figurative.

As an adjective, souple agrees in number with the noun it modifies. Interestingly, it is one of the adjectives that does not change form for the feminine singular. It remains souple for both masculine and feminine singular, and souples for both masculine and feminine plural.

💡 * Cette corde est très souple. (This rope is very flexible.)

• Elle a un corps souple grâce au yoga. (She has a supple body thanks to yoga.)
• Nous avons besoin d'un horaire souple. (We need a flexible schedule.)
• Son esprit est très souple et ouvert. (His mind is very flexible and open.)
• Les règles sont plus souples ici. (The rules are more flexible here.)

The 'velvety' soft – velouté/veloutée

The 'velvety' soft – velouté/veloutée

Velouté (masculine) and veloutée (feminine) are French adjectives meaning 'velvety,' 'smooth,' or 'soft to the touch.' They evoke a sense of luxurious texture.

As an adjective, velouté must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use velouté for masculine singular nouns and veloutée for feminine singular nouns. For plurals, you would use veloutés (masculine) or veloutées (feminine).

One of the most common uses of velouté is in French cuisine, particularly for describing sauces and soups. A 'sauce veloutée' is one of the five 'mother sauces' of classical French cooking, known for its smooth, rich consistency.

Beyond food, velouté can describe any surface or texture that is soft, smooth, and pleasant to touch, like fabric, skin, or even a voice. It implies a certain elegance and refinement.

The word carries connotations of refinement, comfort, and a delicate, pleasing sensation. It's often used to highlight a high-quality or luxurious characteristic.

💡 * La sauce est très veloutée. (The sauce is very velvety.)

• Elle a une peau veloutée. (She has velvety skin.)
• Ce tissu est si doux et velouté. (This fabric is so soft and velvety.)
• Nous avons mangé une délicieuse soupe au potiron veloutée. (We ate a delicious velvety pumpkin soup.)
• Sa voix avait un ton doux et velouté. (His voice had a soft, velvety tone.)

The 'lacking firmness' soft – mou/molle

The French adjectives mou (masculine singular) and molle (feminine singular) both translate to "soft," but they specifically convey a lack of firmness, rigidity, or strength. They are essential for describing objects or even people that are yielding, flabby, or weak.

When describing physical objects, mou or molle refers to something that is not hard, firm, or rigid. Think of a pillow that's lost its fluff, a squishy fruit, or a muscle that lacks tone. This is their most common and literal application.

Beyond physical attributes, mou/molle can also describe a person's character or state. Someone described as mou might be seen as lacking energy, willpower, or courage – essentially, "spineless" or "weak-willed." It can also refer to feeling sluggish or tired.

These adjectives extend to more abstract concepts. For instance, a "soft" (weak) light might be described as une lumière molle. While doux is often used for gentle light, molle emphasizes the lack of intensity or sharpness. It can imply something is not strong enough or lacks vigor.

It's crucial to distinguish mou/molle from doux/douce. While doux/douce also means "soft," it refers to a pleasant, gentle, or smooth sensation to the touch (like a soft blanket or a soft voice). Mou/molle, on the other hand, focuses on the lack of firmness or strength.

💡 * Ce matelas est trop mou, je n'arrive pas à bien dormir. (This mattress is too soft, I can't sleep well.)

• Après le sport, mes jambes sont toutes molles. (After sports, my legs are all weak/jelly-like.)
• La pâte à modeler est très molle et facile à travailler. (The playdough is very soft and easy to work with.)
• Il est un peu mou en ce moment, il manque d'énergie. (He's a bit sluggish/lacking energy right now.)
• Une lumière molle filtrait à travers les rideaux. (A soft/weak light filtered through the curtains.)

The 'delicate' or 'fine' soft – délicat/délicate

The adjective délicat/délicate is used to describe something as 'delicate,' 'fine,' 'soft,' or 'sensitive.' It encompasses a range of meanings from physical fragility to subtle taste or a tricky situation.

You'll encounter délicat to speak of something physically fragile (like a delicate flower), a subtle flavor (a fine wine), a sensitive issue (a delicate subject), or even a person's gentle or refined nature. Its meaning adapts to the context, always implying a certain finesse or vulnerability.

As an adjective, délicat must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It takes the form délicat for masculine singular, délicate for feminine singular, délicats for masculine plural, and délicates for feminine plural.

💡 * C'est une situation très délicate à gérer. (It's a very delicate situation to manage.)

• Le tissu de cette robe est particulièrement délicat. (The fabric of this dress is particularly delicate.)
• Elle a un goût délicat pour les parfums. (She has a fine/delicate taste for perfumes.)
• Ces fleurs sont si délicates qu'il faut les manipuler avec soin. (These flowers are so delicate that you must handle them with care.)
• Il a abordé le sujet d'une manière très délicate. (He approached the subject in a very sensitive/delicate manner.)

The 'light' and soft (like fabric) – léger/légère

The French adjective léger (masculine) and légère (feminine) primarily describe something as light in weight, thin, delicate, or airy. While it can refer to physical weight, it's frequently used to describe fabrics, textures, or even a general feeling of lightness.

Like many French adjectives, léger must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. You'll use léger for masculine singular nouns and légère for feminine singular nouns. The plural forms are légers (masculine plural) and légères (feminine plural).

One of the most common applications of léger/légère is to describe fabrics or materials that are light, thin, or delicate. Think of a light summer dress or a thin scarf that feels almost weightless.

Beyond fabric, léger/légère can also describe a light meal, a light sleep, or even a light breeze. It conveys a sense of ease, lack of burden, or minimal intensity, making it a versatile adjective in French.

💡 *J'ai acheté une robe légère pour l'été. (I bought a light dress for the summer.)
*Ce tissu est très léger et agréable à porter. (This fabric is very light and pleasant to wear.)
*Il préfère les repas légers le soir. (He prefers light meals in the evening.)
*Une brise légère soufflait dans les arbres. (A light breeze was blowing through the trees.)
*Son sommeil était léger; le moindre bruit le réveillait. (His sleep was light; the slightest noise would wake him.)

The 'meltingly soft' (often for food) – fondant/fondante

The French adjective fondant (masculine) and fondante (feminine) translates to 'meltingly soft,' 'tender,' or 'melting in the mouth.' It's primarily used to describe the texture of food, suggesting a delightful, smooth quality.

Like many French adjectives, fondant must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. You'll use fondant for masculine nouns (e.g., un gâteau fondant, a meltingly soft cake) and fondante for feminine nouns (e.g., une texture fondante, a meltingly soft texture).

This adjective is most commonly encountered in culinary descriptions, referring to food that is incredibly tender, smooth, and seems to melt effortlessly when eaten. It evokes the sensation of a rich chocolate cake, a perfectly cooked piece of meat, or a creamy cheese.

Beyond the adjective, the word fondant also exists as a masculine noun, un fondant. This typically refers to a specific type of dessert, often a small cake or confection known for its rich, soft, or 'melting' center, such as un fondant au chocolat (a molten chocolate cake).

💡 * Ce gâteau au chocolat est tellement fondant. (This chocolate cake is so meltingly soft.)

• J'adore la texture fondante de ce fromage. (I love the meltingly soft texture of this cheese.)
• Le saumon était fondant et parfaitement cuit. (The salmon was tender and perfectly cooked.)
• Ces pommes de terre sont fondantes en bouche. (These potatoes are melting in the mouth.)
• Nous avons commandé un fondant au chocolat pour le dessert. (We ordered a molten chocolate cake for dessert.)

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

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

Our list features the most common ways to say 'soft' in French. But French is rich with nuances, offering a spectrum of terms from old-fashioned ones to regional expressions and even new slang that might describe 'softness' in unique ways.

You can also explore further by doing an online search for “comment dire doux en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region.

You might find some interesting synonyms for doux or moelleux on this list. Of course, always make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you incorporate it into your vocabulary.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to describe something as 'soft' in various contexts.

And if you’re looking for a comprehensive list of words related to 'softness' or their nuances, the WordReference entry for doux is an excellent place to start!

I hope this article has helped you expand your French vocabulary. To conclude, here’s a thought that, while not directly about 'softness,' speaks to the beauty of language and nuance, from Gustave Flaubert: La parole est une sorte de corps où l'âme s'incarne. (Speech is a kind of body in which the soul is embodied.) May you find the perfect words to embody your thoughts, whether they are 'soft' or otherwise.