la joue in 30 Seconds
- La joue is the French word for 'cheek'. It is a feminine noun.
- It is central to the French greeting 'la bise', where people touch cheeks.
- Commonly used to describe health (swollen) or emotions (blushing/red).
- It is an essential body part word for daily conversation and descriptions.
The French word la joue refers to the cheek—the fleshy part of the human face below the eyes and between the nose and the ears. In French culture, the cheek is not just an anatomical feature; it is a central site of social interaction, emotion, and health assessment. Whether you are describing a child's rosy complexion or participating in the ubiquitous French greeting ritual, understanding how to use this word is essential for A2 learners and beyond.
- Anatomical Context
- In a medical or descriptive sense, 'la joue' covers the area from the cheekbone (la pommette) down to the jawline. It is used to describe physical traits, such as 'joues creuses' (hollow cheeks) or 'joues rebondies' (chubby cheeks).
L'enfant a les joues toutes rouges à cause du froid hivernal.
- Social Context: La Bise
- Perhaps the most famous use of 'la joue' is in the context of 'la bise'. This is the traditional French greeting where people touch cheeks while making a kissing sound. Depending on the region, you might give two, three, or even four 'bises' on the cheeks.
The word is feminine, so it always takes feminine articles like 'la', 'une', or 'ma'. In the plural, 'les joues' is very common as we usually refer to both sides of the face simultaneously. In literature, poets often use the cheek as a canvas for beauty, comparing them to roses or lilies. In daily life, you'll hear it when someone has a toothache ('j'ai la joue gonflée') or when applying makeup ('mettre du fard à joues').
Elle lui a donné un baiser sur la joue pour lui dire au revoir.
- Emotional Indicators
- Cheeks are the primary indicator of embarrassment, modesty, or anger. Phrases like 'le rouge lui monte aux joues' (the red is rising to their cheeks) are common ways to describe a person's reaction to a situation without explicitly naming the emotion.
Using 'la joue' correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and common adjective pairings. Since it is a feminine noun, any adjectives modifying it must also be feminine. For example, 'une joue douce' (a soft cheek) or 'des joues rondes' (round cheeks).
- Possessive Adjectives
- When referring to your own body parts in French, you often use the definite article 'la' instead of the possessive 'ma' if the owner is clear from the reflexive verb. For example: 'Je me lave les joues' (I wash my cheeks) rather than 'Je lave mes joues'.
Il se caresse la joue en réfléchissant à la solution.
In descriptive writing, 'la joue' is often the subject of verbs of color or movement. You might say 'ses joues se creusent' (his cheeks hollow out) when someone loses weight, or 'ses joues s'illuminent' (her cheeks light up) when she smiles. It is also used with prepositions of place like 'sur' or 'contre'.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 1. Embrassser sur la joue (to kiss on the cheek). 2. Pincer la joue (to pinch the cheek). 3. Caresser la joue (to stroke the cheek). 4. Se frotter la joue (to rub one's cheek).
Elle a posé sa joue contre l'épaule de son père.
You will encounter 'la joue' in a variety of real-world settings, from the doctor's office to romantic novels. In a clinical setting, a doctor might ask, 'Avez-vous mal à la joue ?' if you have a sinus infection or dental issue. In beauty salons, 'le maquillage des joues' is a standard topic, specifically regarding 'le fard à joues' (blush).
- Everyday Conversations
- Parents often talk to their children about their cheeks: 'Laisse-moi nettoyer ta joue, tu as du chocolat !' (Let me clean your cheek, you have chocolate on it!). It is a word associated with intimacy and care.
Tiens, tu as une petite tache sur la joue droite.
In literature and cinema, 'la joue' is frequently mentioned in romantic scenes. A character might wipe a tear from another's cheek ('essuyer une larme sur la joue'). In sports, particularly boxing or rugby, injuries to the cheekbone are often discussed using the term 'pommette' or 'os de la joue'.
- Cultural Media
- In French songs (Chanson Française), the cheek is a recurring image of tenderness. For instance, lyrics often describe 'une joue contre une joue' (cheek to cheek) during a slow dance.
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing the noun 'la joue' with the verb 'jouer' (to play). Because 'joue' is the conjugated form of 'jouer' in the first and third person singular (je joue, il joue), learners often mix them up in writing or listening.
- Joue vs. Jouer
- 'Il joue au foot' means 'He plays football'. 'Il a mal à la joue' means 'His cheek hurts'. The context usually clarifies the meaning, but in isolation, 'joue' can be ambiguous.
Attention : la joue (noun) is always feminine. Don't say 'le joue'.
Another mistake involves the pronunciation of the 'ou' sound. It should be a tight, rounded 'oo' sound like in 'soup', not an 'oh' sound. Also, ensure you don't confuse 'joue' with 'jour' (day). The final 'r' in 'jour' is pronounced, whereas 'joue' ends on the vowel sound followed by a soft, almost silent 'zh' sound if followed by another word, but usually just the 'oo' sound.
- Gender Errors
- Learners often default to masculine for body parts. Remember: 'la joue', 'la bouche', 'la main'.
While 'la joue' is the standard term, there are other words used to describe parts of the face or similar concepts. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.
- La Pommette
- This refers specifically to the cheekbone or the high part of the cheek. It is often used in beauty contexts: 'Elle a les pommettes saillantes' (She has prominent cheekbones).
- La Bille / La Bouille
- 'La bouille' is a cute, informal term for a face, often used for children with round cheeks. 'Quelle jolie bouille !' means 'What a cute face/cheeks!'.
On utilise pommette pour parler de la structure osseuse, et joue pour la partie charnue.
In slang, you might hear 'la tronche' or 'la gueule' for the whole face, but these are often pejorative or very informal and don't specifically target the cheeks. If you want to describe a slap, you use 'une gifle' or 'une baffe', which are actions directed *at* the cheek.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word 'joue' is related to the word 'jaw' in English, sharing ancient roots that describe the side of the mouth.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it like 'joe' (English name).
- Confusing the 'j' sound with the hard 'dzh' sound in 'jump'.
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the end.
- Confusing it with 'jouer' (verb).
- Mixing it up with 'jour' (day).
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize in text.
Easy, but don't confuse with the verb 'jouer'.
Simple pronunciation, but requires the 'ou' sound.
Can be confused with 'joue' (verb) or 'jour'.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reflexive verbs with body parts use 'le/la/les' instead of possessive adjectives.
Je me lave les joues (Not: mes joues).
Feminine gender of 'joue' requires feminine adjective agreement.
Une joue rose.
Plural formation by adding 's'.
Deux joues.
Preposition 'sur' used for location on the skin.
Une mouche sur la joue.
Preposition 'à' used for pain.
Avoir mal à la joue.
Examples by Level
Elle a les joues rouges.
She has red cheeks.
Plural noun with feminine adjective 'rouges'.
Je touche ma joue.
I touch my cheek.
Possessive adjective 'ma' matches feminine noun 'joue'.
La joue est sur le visage.
The cheek is on the face.
Basic subject-verb-preposition structure.
Le bébé a de grosses joues.
The baby has big cheeks.
'Grosses' is the feminine plural form of 'gros'.
Elle donne un bisou sur la joue.
She gives a kiss on the cheek.
Use of 'sur' to indicate location.
Ma joue est chaude.
My cheek is warm.
Feminine singular adjective 'chaude'.
Où est ta joue ?
Where is your cheek?
Interrogative sentence with possessive 'ta'.
Il a une larme sur la joue.
He has a tear on his cheek.
Singular noun 'la joue'.
Il se lave les joues le matin.
He washes his cheeks in the morning.
Reflexive verb 'se laver' with definite article 'les'.
Ses joues sont douces comme de la soie.
Her cheeks are soft as silk.
Comparison using 'comme'.
On fait la bise sur la joue en France.
We do the 'bise' on the cheek in France.
Cultural expression 'faire la bise'.
Elle applique du fard sur ses joues.
She applies blush to her cheeks.
'Fard' refers to makeup.
Le vent froid pique mes joues.
The cold wind stings my cheeks.
Verb 'piquer' used for a stinging sensation.
Il a les joues creuses parce qu'il est malade.
He has hollow cheeks because he is sick.
Adjective 'creuses' (hollow).
Elle a une petite cicatrice sur la joue gauche.
She has a small scar on her left cheek.
Adjective 'gauche' (left).
Il a pincé la joue de son petit-fils.
He pinched his grandson's cheek.
Verb 'pincer' (to pinch).
Le rouge lui est monté aux joues immédiatement.
The red rose to her cheeks immediately.
Idiomatic expression for blushing.
J'ai la joue gonflée à cause d'une dent de sagesse.
My cheek is swollen because of a wisdom tooth.
Adjective 'gonflée' (swollen).
Elle a posé sa joue contre la vitre du train.
She leaned her cheek against the train window.
Preposition 'contre' (against).
Il sentit une caresse légère sur sa joue.
He felt a light caress on his cheek.
Noun 'caresse' (caress).
Les enfants avaient les joues barbouillées de confiture.
The children's cheeks were smeared with jam.
Adjective 'barbouillées' (smeared/messy).
Elle a les pommettes plus hautes que les joues.
She has cheekbones higher than the cheeks.
Comparison between 'pommettes' and 'joues'.
Un sourire illumina ses joues rebondies.
A smile lit up her chubby cheeks.
Literary use of 'illuminer'.
Il s'est rasé de trop près et s'est coupé la joue.
He shaved too close and cut his cheek.
Reflexive 'se couper' with body part.
Il a fallu qu'il tende la joue pour recevoir le châtiment.
He had to offer his cheek to receive the punishment.
Subjunctive mood 'qu'il tende'.
Malgré l'insulte, il a décidé de tendre l'autre joue.
Despite the insult, he decided to turn the other cheek.
Biblical idiom 'tendre l'autre joue'.
Ses joues se sont creusées avec l'âge et la fatigue.
His cheeks hollowed out with age and fatigue.
Pronominal verb 'se creuser'.
La balle a frôlé sa joue, le laissant indemne par miracle.
The bullet grazed his cheek, leaving him unhurt by a miracle.
Verb 'frôler' (to graze/brush against).
Elle avait les joues mangées par une barbe naissante.
Her cheeks were covered by a burgeoning beard (context: describing someone else).
Metaphorical use of 'mangées par'.
L'émotion était telle qu'une ride a parcouru sa joue.
The emotion was such that a wrinkle (or twitch) crossed his cheek.
Descriptive literary style.
Il arborait une balafre impressionnante sur la joue droite.
He sported an impressive scar on his right cheek.
Verb 'arborer' (to sport/wear proudly).
Elle sentait le souffle chaud de l'animal contre sa joue.
She felt the animal's warm breath against her cheek.
Sensory description.
Le peintre s'attarda sur le modelé des joues pour rendre le portrait vivant.
The painter lingered on the modeling of the cheeks to make the portrait lifelike.
Technical art vocabulary 'le modelé'.
Une pâleur mortelle avait envahi ses joues autrefois si colorées.
A deadly paleness had invaded her cheeks, once so colorful.
Literary contrast and past participle 'envahi'.
Il parlait la joue appuyée sur sa main, d'un air pensif.
He spoke with his cheek resting on his hand, looking pensive.
Participial phrase 'la joue appuyée'.
La morsure du froid sur ses joues ne l'empêchait pas d'avancer.
The bite of the cold on his cheeks did not stop him from moving forward.
Metaphorical 'morsure' (bite).
Ses joues frémissaient sous le coup d'une colère contenue.
His cheeks were twitching under the blow of a contained anger.
Verb 'frémir' (to quiver/twitch).
L'enfant colla sa joue contre l'écorce rugueuse de l'arbre.
The child pressed his cheek against the rough bark of the tree.
Verb 'coller' (to stick/press).
Elle avait ce fard aux joues qui lui donnait un air de poupée de porcelaine.
She had that blush on her cheeks that gave her the look of a porcelain doll.
Descriptive simile.
Il sentit la joue de l'arme contre son visage avant de tirer.
He felt the cheek (stock) of the weapon against his face before firing.
Technical use of 'joue' for a rifle stock.
L'esthétique proustienne accorde une place prépondérante au grain de la peau sur la joue.
Proustian aesthetics give a preponderant place to the texture of the skin on the cheek.
High-level literary analysis.
Ses joues, telles des parchemins usés, racontaient une vie de labeur.
Her cheeks, like worn parchments, told a life of labor.
Sophisticated metaphor.
Le frisson qui lui parcourut la joue trahissait son trouble intérieur.
The shiver that ran across his cheek betrayed his inner turmoil.
Use of 'trahir' as 'to reveal'.
On devinait sous la finesse de la joue la structure osseuse de la mandibule.
Under the thinness of the cheek, one could discern the bone structure of the mandible.
Scientific/Literary blend.
L'afflux de sang aux joues témoignait d'une vive émotion subite.
The rush of blood to the cheeks bore witness to a sudden intense emotion.
Formal 'témoigner de'.
Elle effleura sa joue d'un revers de main nonchalant.
She brushed his cheek with a nonchalant back of her hand.
Precise vocabulary 'effleurer' and 'revers'.
La joue de la falaise semblait défier les assauts de l'océan.
The face (cheek) of the cliff seemed to defy the assaults of the ocean.
Personification of a landscape.
Il y avait dans le creux de sa joue une ombre qui accentuait sa sévérité.
There was a shadow in the hollow of his cheek that accentuated his severity.
Artistic description of light and shadow.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To greet someone by kissing them on the cheek.
En France, on fait souvent la bise sur la joue.
— To blush out of embarrassment or modesty.
Dès qu'il lui a parlé, le rouge lui est monté aux joues.
— To have very hot, red cheeks (from cold, fever, or shame).
Après la course, j'avais les joues en feu.
— To have 'nerve' or to be chubby (context dependent).
Ce petit a vraiment de la joue !
Often Confused With
The verb 'to play'. 'Il joue' sounds exactly like 'la joue'.
Means 'day'. The 'r' sound at the end is the key difference.
Means 'yoke'. Sounds similar but is very rare.
Idioms & Expressions
— To turn the other cheek; to respond to aggression with peace.
Il a décidé de tendre l'autre joue plutôt que de se venger.
Literary/Biblical— To eat greedily or to stuff one's face.
Il s'en est mis plein les joues au buffet.
Informal— To have very red cheeks (less common).
Il est revenu du ski avec les joues comme des fanions.
Regional— To be as red as a tomato (often referring to the cheeks).
Elle était rouge comme une tomate après son erreur.
Neutral— To pout (involves moving the cheeks/lips).
L'enfant fait la moue car il ne veut pas manger.
Neutral— To eat until one's cheeks burst (to eat a lot).
On a mangé à s'en faire péter les joues à Noël.
Slang— To have a very sore or bruised cheek.
Après le match de boxe, il avait la joue en compote.
Informal— To hit the mark (metaphorical, rare) or literally touch the cheek.
Sa remarque m'a touché la joue.
Rare— Perfectly round, pink cheeks like a doll.
Elle a de vraies joues de poupée.
NeutralEasily Confused
Identical pronunciation in some forms.
'Jouer' is an action; 'joue' is a part of the face.
Il joue (verb) avec sa joue (noun).
Both are on the face.
Pommette is the bone/high part; joue is the fleshy part.
Elle a du rouge sur les pommettes.
Close proximity on the face.
Bouche is the mouth; joue is the side of the face.
Ouvre la bouche, ne gonfle pas la joue.
Rhymes and involves the face.
Moue is a facial expression (pout).
Elle fait la moue.
Similar vowel start.
Jaune is the color yellow.
Sa joue est devenue jaune.
Sentence Patterns
C'est ma joue.
C'est ma joue droite.
Il a les joues [adjective].
Il a les joues très rouges.
Le rouge lui monte aux joues.
Dès qu'elle sourit, le rouge lui monte aux joues.
Elle pose sa joue contre [noun].
Elle pose sa joue contre l'oreiller.
Une larme coule le long de sa joue.
Une larme solitaire coule le long de sa joue.
Le modelé de ses joues est [adjective].
Le modelé de ses joues est d'une finesse rare.
Elle donne un bisou sur la joue.
Elle donne un petit bisou sur la joue de son ami.
J'ai mal à la joue.
J'ai mal à la joue depuis ce matin.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High (Top 2000 words)
-
Le joue
→
La joue
Joue is a feminine noun.
-
Je joue ma joue
→
Je touche ma joue
Don't confuse the verb 'jouer' with 'toucher'.
-
J'ai mal à mon joue
→
J'ai mal à la joue
Use the definite article for pain in body parts.
-
Mes joues sont rouge
→
Mes joues sont rouges
Adjectives must agree in plural.
-
Il a les pommettes creuses
→
Il a les joues creuses
Pommettes are bones; they don't really get 'hollow' like the fleshy cheeks.
Tips
Gender Check
Always pair 'joue' with feminine adjectives like 'douce' or 'ronde'.
The Bise
Don't actually kiss the skin; just touch cheeks and make a sound.
Blushing
Use 'avoir les joues rouges' for a simple way to say someone is blushing.
Soft J
The 'j' in 'joue' is never hard like in 'Jack'. It's soft like 'Jacques'.
Body Parts
Use 'la' instead of 'ma' with reflexive verbs: 'Je me touche la joue'.
Turning the cheek
Use 'tendre l'autre joue' in moral or religious discussions.
Silent E
The 'e' at the end of 'joue' is silent.
Verb vs Noun
Check if there is an article (la/une). If yes, it's the cheek!
Swelling
Use 'gonflée' to describe a swollen cheek at the doctor.
Makeup
'Fard à joues' is the standard term for blush/rouge.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine 'Jewel' on your 'Joue'. A jewel is precious, and you protect it on your cheek.
Visual Association
Picture a bright red circle on a face, like a target for a kiss ('la bise').
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three people you know using the word 'joue' and an adjective (e.g., Pierre a des joues creuses).
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'joue', which comes from the Gaulish or Frankish 'koka' (meaning jaw or cheek).
Original meaning: The fleshy part of the side of the head.
Indo-European -> Celtic/Germanic root -> Gallo-Romance.Cultural Context
Be careful when touching someone's cheek; always follow local social cues for 'la bise'.
English speakers might find 'la bise' too intimate, but in France, it is standard for friends and family.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Greetings
- Faire la bise
- Embrasser sur la joue
- Tendre la joue
- Bonjour sur les deux joues
Health/Doctor
- Joue gonflée
- Mal à la joue
- Inflammation
- Douleur à la mâchoire
Makeup
- Mettre du fard à joues
- Blush
- Pommettes
- Maquillage du visage
Emotions
- Rougir
- Le rouge aux joues
- Larme sur la joue
- Joues qui brûlent
Physical Description
- Joues creuses
- Joues rebondies
- Joues douces
- Joues roses
Conversation Starters
"Est-ce que tu fais la bise sur la joue pour dire bonjour ?"
"Pourquoi as-tu les joues si rouges aujourd'hui ?"
"Est-ce que tu préfères les joues creuses ou les joues rondes ?"
"Comment dit-on 'blush' en français ? C'est le fard à joues !"
"As-tu déjà eu la joue gonflée à cause d'une dent ?"
Journal Prompts
Décris le visage d'une personne que tu aimes, en parlant de ses joues.
Raconte une fois où tu as eu les joues rouges d'embarras.
Que penses-tu de la tradition française de faire la bise sur la joue ?
Imagine une histoire où un personnage a une marque mystérieuse sur la joue.
Décris la sensation du vent froid sur tes joues en hiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is feminine: 'la joue'.
It is 'le fard à joues'.
It means to offer your cheek for a kiss or, figuratively, to turn the other cheek.
Yes, in technical terms, it can refer to the side part of a tool or a rifle stock.
It is a traditional greeting called 'la bise', showing friendship.
It sounds like 'zhoo' with a soft 'j'.
It is the cheekbone, the upper part of the cheek.
Yes, 's'en mettre plein les joues' means to eat a lot.
The plural is 'les joues'.
No, it comes from a Gaulish or Frankish root 'koka'.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Describe a baby's cheeks in French.
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Write a sentence about blushing.
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How do you say 'I have a swollen cheek'?
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Translate: 'He kisses her on the cheek.'
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Use 'joue contre joue' in a sentence.
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Translate: 'My cheeks are cold.'
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What is 'blush' in French?
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Describe someone who is very thin.
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Translate: 'A tear on his left cheek.'
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Write a sentence using 'tendre la joue'.
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Translate: 'She touches her cheek.'
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Describe the effect of winter wind.
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Translate: 'Turn the other cheek.'
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Use 'pommettes' in a sentence.
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Translate: 'I wash my cheeks.'
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Describe a scar on the cheek.
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Translate: 'Soft cheeks.'
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Use 's'en mettre plein les joues'.
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Translate: 'A kiss on each cheek.'
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Describe the color of cheeks after running.
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Pronounce 'la joue'.
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Say 'red cheeks' in French.
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Say 'I wash my cheeks'.
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Say 'a kiss on the cheek'.
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Say 'hollow cheeks'.
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Say 'cheek to cheek'.
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Say 'my cheek is swollen'.
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Say 'blush' (makeup).
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Say 'to turn the other cheek'.
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Say 'the left cheek'.
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Say 'the right cheek'.
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Say 'chubby cheeks'.
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Say 'a tear on the cheek'.
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Say 'soft cheeks'.
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Say 'it stings my cheeks'.
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Say 'cheekbone'.
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Say 'he blushes'.
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Say 'a scar on the cheek'.
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Say 'to pinch the cheek'.
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Say 'against the cheek'.
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Listen and identify the word: 'joue'.
Listen to the sentence: 'Elle a les joues rouges.' What color are her cheeks?
Listen: 'Je me lave les joues.' What part of the face is being washed?
Listen: 'Il a la joue gonflée.' Is the cheek normal or swollen?
Listen: 'Un bisou sur la joue.' Where is the kiss?
Listen: 'Ses joues sont creuses.' Is the person thin or fat?
Listen: 'Fard à joues.' Is this for eyes or cheeks?
Listen: 'Joue contre joue.' What is the position?
Listen: 'Tendre la joue.' What is being offered?
Listen: 'La pommette.' Is this the chin or cheekbone?
Listen: 'Une larme sur la joue.' What is on the cheek?
Listen: 'Pincer la joue.' What action is happening?
Listen: 'Il joue avec sa joue.' How many times do you hear the sound 'zhoo'?
Listen: 'La joue gauche.' Which side?
Listen: 'La joue droite.' Which side?
/ 180 correct
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Summary
The word 'la joue' (feminine) refers to the cheek. It is most culturally significant in the practice of 'la bise' (kissing on the cheek) and is frequently modified by adjectives like 'rouges' or 'creuses'. Example: 'Elle l'a embrassé sur la joue.'
- La joue is the French word for 'cheek'. It is a feminine noun.
- It is central to the French greeting 'la bise', where people touch cheeks.
- Commonly used to describe health (swollen) or emotions (blushing/red).
- It is an essential body part word for daily conversation and descriptions.
Gender Check
Always pair 'joue' with feminine adjectives like 'douce' or 'ronde'.
The Bise
Don't actually kiss the skin; just touch cheeks and make a sound.
Blushing
Use 'avoir les joues rouges' for a simple way to say someone is blushing.
Soft J
The 'j' in 'joue' is never hard like in 'Jack'. It's soft like 'Jacques'.
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à l'aide de
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à long terme
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à risque
B1At risk of harm, illness, or danger.
à titre
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