At the A1 level, the word 'mouette' is a simple noun used to describe a bird you see at the beach. You should know it is feminine ('une mouette') and that it is white and grey. You can use it in very basic sentences like 'Je vois une mouette' (I see a seagull) or 'La mouette est belle' (The seagull is beautiful). It is part of the basic vocabulary for holidays and nature. Beginners should focus on the spelling and the fact that it ends in 'ette', a common feminine ending in French. You might learn this word when talking about animals or the seaside. It is a concrete noun, meaning it refers to a physical object you can see and touch (though you shouldn't touch them!). At this stage, don't worry about the different types of seagulls; just use 'mouette' for any bird that looks like one at the beach. It's a great word to practice your 'ou' sound and your feminine adjective agreements.
At the A2 level, you can start to use 'mouette' in more descriptive sentences. You might describe what the seagull is doing: 'La mouette vole au-dessus de la mer' (The seagull is flying over the sea) or 'Les mouettes mangent du pain' (The seagulls are eating bread). You will learn to use the plural form 'les mouettes' and understand that the 's' is silent. You can also use prepositions of place with 'mouette', such as 'sur le sable' (on the sand) or 'près du bateau' (near the boat). This level also introduces the idea of common sounds, so you might say 'J'entends le cri de la mouette' (I hear the seagull's cry). You are starting to build a small 'maritime' vocabulary where 'mouette' is a key player. You should also be aware that 'mouette' is always feminine, even if you are talking about a male bird. This is a good time to practice adjectives like 'bruyante' (noisy) or 'blanche' (white) which must agree with the feminine noun.
At the B1 level, you can use 'mouette' in more complex narratives and discussions about the environment. You might talk about your last vacation and describe the atmosphere of a port using the word 'mouette'. For example, 'L'air sentait le sel et on entendait le cri incessant des mouettes' (The air smelled of salt and one could hear the incessant cry of the seagulls). You can also start to distinguish between 'une mouette' and 'un goéland' (a gull), which shows a higher level of vocabulary precision. You might use the word in the context of environmental protection, discussing how 'les mouettes' are affected by pollution. Your sentences will become more complex with the use of relative clauses: 'La mouette que j'ai vue hier avait une aile blessée' (The seagull that I saw yesterday had a wounded wing). You can also use the word in common idiomatic-like expressions or descriptions of nature that involve more than just simple actions.
At the B2 level, 'mouette' can be used in more formal or literary contexts. You might analyze a poem or a story where the seagull is a symbol of freedom or the ocean. You can discuss the biodiversity of the French coast and use specific terms like 'mouette rieuse' (black-headed gull). You should be able to argue about urban issues, such as seagulls moving into cities like Paris and the problems they might cause. For example: 'L'adaptation des mouettes au milieu urbain pose des défis en termes de gestion des déchets' (The adaptation of seagulls to the urban environment poses challenges in terms of waste management). You will use 'mouette' with a variety of advanced tenses and moods, such as the subjunctive or the conditional: 'Il est possible que la mouette ait faim' (It is possible the seagull is hungry). Your vocabulary around the bird is now rich enough to include terms like 'plumage', 'envergure', and 'migration'.
At the C1 level, you use 'mouette' with complete ease in any context, including scientific, literary, or highly idiomatic ones. You might explore the etymology of the word or its use in regional dialects. You can appreciate the nuance between 'mouette' and other Laridae in a technical discussion. In literature, you can discuss the 'mouette' as a motif in the works of authors like Victor Hugo or in the plays of Chekhov (translated into French as 'La Mouette'). You can use the word in sophisticated metaphors: 'Son esprit s'envolait comme une mouette au-dessus d'une mer déchaînée' (His mind took flight like a seagull over a raging sea). You understand the cultural connotations of the bird in different French regions, such as its association with certain coastal legends in Brittany. Your usage is precise, and you can switch between registers—from the casual 'regarde la mouette' to the formal 'l'observation des populations de mouettes'.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of the word 'mouette'. You can discuss its role in the French language's history and its place in the linguistic landscape. You might engage in high-level academic research regarding the 'mouette' in marine biology or cultural studies. You can use the word in complex, multi-layered puns or wordplay. You are aware of the most obscure references to the bird in French culture, from old sea shanties to contemporary avant-garde cinema. You can write long, evocative passages where the 'mouette' serves as a central image, using a vast array of synonyms and related maritime terminology to create a specific mood. Your mastery of the word includes its interaction with all aspects of French grammar, including the most subtle rules of agreement and style. The word 'mouette' is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for creative and precise expression in the French language.

mouette 30秒了解

  • A feminine noun referring to a seagull, specifically smaller species like the black-headed gull.
  • Essential vocabulary for describing coastal landscapes and maritime life in French-speaking regions.
  • Distinct from the larger 'goéland', though often translated simply as 'seagull' in English.
  • Frequently used in literature, comics, and everyday conversation near the sea.

The French word mouette refers to a seagull, specifically the smaller species of the Laridae family. While English often uses the generic term 'seagull' for any white and grey bird found near the ocean, French speakers make a distinct linguistic and cultural separation between the mouette (smaller, often with a more delicate beak) and the goéland (larger, often more aggressive). The word mouette evokes the sound of the seaside, the salt air of Brittany, and the bustling ports of the Mediterranean. It is a word deeply embedded in the French coastal identity, appearing in songs, literature, and everyday conversation when describing a trip to the beach.

Taxonomy and Appearance
In biological terms, the most famous is the mouette rieuse (black-headed gull), known for its distinct dark hood during the breeding season. They are characterized by their slender wings and agile flight patterns.

Regarde la mouette qui survole le vieux port de Marseille avec élégance.

Beyond the physical bird, the term is used metaphorically to describe someone who is noisy or perhaps a bit scattered. However, its primary use remains literal. In French culture, the mouette is often romanticized in poetry as a symbol of freedom and the vastness of the sea, unlike the goéland, which is sometimes viewed as a scavenger or a nuisance to fishermen. When you are sitting at a café in Nice or walking along the cliffs of Étretat, the high-pitched cry you hear is almost certainly attributed to a mouette in common parlance, even if a biologist might correct you.

Cultural Resonance
The mouette is a staple of French maritime folklore. It represents the soul of sailors in some Breton legends, wandering the shores forever.

Le cri de la mouette annonce souvent l'arrivée d'une tempête sur la côte atlantique.

When using this word, remember it is a feminine noun (la mouette). Even if the bird is male, the grammatical gender remains feminine. This is a common feature of animal names in French, where the species has a fixed gender regardless of the individual bird's sex. You will use it when describing scenery, discussing nature, or complaining about the noise at 5 AM in a seaside hotel. The word itself has a light, rhythmic quality—mou-ette—that mimics the bobbing of the bird on the waves. It is a word that brings a sense of 'vacances' (vacation) to most French people's minds.

Literary Usage
Famous authors like Victor Hugo have used the image of the mouette to contrast the harshness of the ocean with the fragility of life. It is an evocative noun used to build atmosphere in coastal settings.

Une seule mouette blanche tachait le ciel gris de plomb avant l'orage.

Les enfants s'amusaient à jeter des morceaux de pain aux mouettes sur la jetée.

J'ai acheté une carte postale avec une mouette pour l'envoyer à ma grand-mère.

Using mouette in a sentence requires an understanding of its role as a feminine countable noun. Because it is a common noun, it almost always requires an article (la, une, des, les) or a possessive adjective (ma, ta, sa). In sentences, it often acts as the subject of verbs related to movement or sound. For example, la mouette vole (the seagull flies) or la mouette crie (the seagull cries/screeches). It is also frequently the object of prepositions, especially those indicating location, such as sur (on), au-dessus de (above), or près de (near).

Subject Position
When the bird is the main actor: 'La mouette cherche de la nourriture sur la plage.' (The seagull is looking for food on the beach.)

Une mouette s'est posée sur le toit de notre voiture ce matin.

In plural forms, remember to change the article and add an 's': les mouettes. In French, when describing a group of these birds, you might use the collective noun une colonie de mouettes or une nuée de mouettes (a cloud/swarm of seagulls). Adjectives must also agree in gender and number. Since mouette is feminine, adjectives like blanche (white), bruyante (noisy), or rapide (fast) must take their feminine forms. For instance: 'Les mouettes sont très bruyantes aujourd'hui.' (The seagulls are very noisy today.)

Direct Object Position
When you are observing or interacting with the bird: 'Nous regardons la mouette plonger dans l'eau.' (We are watching the seagull dive into the water.)

Le photographe a réussi à capturer le vol d'une mouette en plein vol.

You will also see mouette used in comparisons. To describe someone's laughter, the French might say rire comme une mouette (to laugh like a seagull), which implies a high-pitched, loud, and perhaps slightly frantic laugh. This idiomatic use moves the word from the literal world of ornithology into the figurative world of human behavior. Furthermore, in more complex sentences, you might use the relative pronoun qui: 'La mouette qui vole là-bas est une mouette rieuse.' (The seagull that is flying over there is a black-headed gull.)

Prepositional Phrases
Commonly paired with 'de' (of/from) to describe sounds or parts: 'Le cri de la mouette est très reconnaissable.'

Il y a beaucoup de mouettes autour des bateaux de pêche qui rentrent au port.

Elle a dessiné une petite mouette dans le coin de son carnet de croquis.

Est-ce que tu entends cette mouette ? On dirait qu'elle se moque de nous !

The word mouette is ubiquitous in coastal regions of France. If you travel to Brittany (Bretagne), Normandy (Normandie), or the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), you will hear it daily. It is common in weather reports, tourism brochures, and local news stories about environmental conservation. Because seagulls are such a prominent part of the landscape, the word is used by everyone from children pointing at the sky to professional sailors navigating the waters. You will also encounter it in French pop culture, notably in the famous comic strip Gaston Lagaffe, where the protagonist has a pet seagull that is famously grumpy and destructive.

In French Media
The 'mouette rieuse' is a recurring character in the Gaston Lagaffe comics by Franquin. It adds a touch of chaotic nature to the office setting.

Dans la bande dessinée, la mouette de Gaston est souvent source de problèmes.

In a professional context, marine biologists and ecologists use mouette when discussing biodiversity and the health of coastal ecosystems. In a casual context, you might hear it at a fish market when a vendor warns a customer to watch their bag, as the birds are known for their scavenging habits. Interestingly, even in cities far from the sea like Paris, you can hear the word mouette because several species have adapted to inland living along the Seine river. Parisians might point them out while walking along the quays, noting how far they have traveled from the coast.

Tourism and Travel
Tour guides often mention 'le ballet des mouettes' (the ballet of seagulls) to describe the birds following the ferries in the English Channel.

Le guide touristique nous a expliqué que la mouette tridactyle niche sur ces falaises.

Finally, the word appears in many French nursery rhymes and songs for children. It is one of the first birds children learn to identify, along with the pigeon and the moineau (sparrow). In literature, it is often used to evoke a sense of nostalgia or 'le mal du pays' (homesickness) for those who grew up by the sea. If you listen to French radio during the summer months, you are likely to hear it mentioned in songs about summer love and coastal escapes. It is a word that carries the weight of the horizon and the sound of the waves with it.

Environmental Context
Environmentalists often use 'mouette' in discussions about plastic pollution in the oceans, as these birds are primary indicators of ecosystem health.

La protection de la mouette est essentielle pour maintenir l'équilibre de la faune marine.

J'entends les mouettes depuis ma fenêtre, c'est le signe que la mer n'est pas loin.

Le restaurant 'La Mouette Rieuse' propose d'excellents fruits de mer.

The most frequent mistake learners make with mouette is confusing it with the goéland. While English speakers often lump them together as 'seagulls', in French, calling a large herring gull a mouette is a bit like calling a tiger a 'house cat'—it is technically in the same family but practically very different. The goéland is much larger, has a thicker beak with a red spot, and is often more aggressive. Using the wrong term won't stop you from being understood, but it identifies you immediately as a beginner or someone who doesn't live near the coast.

Gender Errors
Many learners assume that because 'oiseau' (bird) is masculine, 'mouette' should be too. This is incorrect. It is always 'la mouette'.

Incorrect: Le mouette est blanc. Correct: La mouette est blanche.

Another common error is pronunciation. The 'ou' sound in French is a tight, rounded vowel, and the 'ette' ending should be crisp. Some learners accidentally pronounce it like 'mute' in English or 'moo-et', losing the distinct French 'ou' sound. Practice saying 'mou' (like 'you' but with more rounded lips) followed by 'ette' (like 'set'). Additionally, don't confuse mouette with meute (a pack of animals, like wolves). Saying 'une meute de mouettes' is technically possible (a pack of seagulls), but 'meute' and 'mouette' sound similar enough to cause confusion if not pronounced clearly.

Spelling Mistakes
Remember the double 't'. Forgetting the second 't' or adding an extra 'e' in the middle (mouete or mouuete) are common spelling pitfalls.

Il ne faut pas confondre la mouette avec le goéland, même s'ils se ressemblent.

Finally, avoid using mouette to refer to any bird you see at the beach that isn't white and grey. For example, a cormorant (cormoran) or a tern (sterne) should not be called a mouette. In English, we might lazily say 'beach bird', but French is quite specific about its marine fauna. Also, be careful with the plural agreement in writing; many learners forget to change the adjective to the feminine plural (les mouettes blanches, not blancs or blanche). Precision in gender and number is key to sounding natural in French.

Usage Context
Don't use 'mouette' for inland birds like pigeons or crows. It is strictly a maritime or aquatic bird term.

Si tu vois une mouette à Paris, c'est probablement près de la Seine.

Les mouettes ne sont pas des oiseaux de proie, contrairement aux faucons.

J'ai écrit 'mouete' dans ma dictée et mon professeur a corrigé la double consonne.

When discussing mouettes, it is helpful to know the broader vocabulary of marine birds and similar terms. The most important alternative is goéland. As mentioned, the goéland (gull) is larger and more robust. In many casual English translations, both are called 'seagulls', but in French, the distinction is significant. Another related bird is the sterne (tern), often called hirondelle de mer (sea swallow) because of its graceful flight and forked tail. If you are describing a bird in a more general way, you can always use oiseau de mer (seabird) or oiseau marin.

Comparison: Mouette vs. Goéland
'La mouette' is smaller, has a thinner beak, and often a black head. 'Le goéland' is larger, has a yellow beak with a red spot, and is generally more 'brave' around humans.

On confond souvent la mouette avec le goéland à cause de leurs couleurs similaires.

If you want to be more poetic, you might use the word albatros, though this refers to a different, much larger bird made famous by Charles Baudelaire's poem 'L'Albatros'. For birds that dive into the water, you might use fou de Bassan (Gannet). If you are referring to the sound they make, instead of just saying cri, you could use piaillement (chirping/squawking), although cri is the most common for seagulls. In terms of synonyms for the environment where you find them, you have littoral (coastline), rivage (shore), and estran (foreshore).

Synonyms and Near-Synonyms
- Oiseau marin: General term for any sea bird.
- Laridé: The scientific family name, used in academic contexts.

L'albatros est bien plus grand qu'une simple mouette.

In some regional dialects or older French, you might encounter other names for specific types of gulls, but mouette remains the standard. If you are writing a story and want to avoid repeating mouette, you can refer to it as le volatile (the winged creature) or l'oiseau au plumage gris. However, mouette is so specific that it is usually best to stick with it. Understanding these alternatives helps you navigate French coastal life with more nuance and precision, allowing you to describe the natural world with the same detail as a native speaker.

Verbs of Action
- Planer: To glide (as seagulls often do).
- Plonger: To dive.
- Se poser: To land.

La mouette plane au-dessus des vagues sans battre des ailes.

Les sternes sont plus fines et plus rapides que les mouettes habituelles.

Il y a une grande variété d'oiseaux marins ici, pas seulement des mouettes.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

The 'mouette' and the 'alouette' (lark) share the same '-ette' ending, but their origins are completely different—one from the sea (Norse) and one from the fields (Celtic).

发音指南

UK /mwɛt/
US /mwɛt/
The stress is equal on both syllables, but the 'ette' is crisp.
押韵词
alouette silhouette bicyclette omelette casquette trompette recette lunette
常见错误
  • Pronouncing it as 'moo-et' (two distinct syllables).
  • Making the 'ou' sound like 'oh'.
  • Silent 'ette' (it must be pronounced).
  • Confusing the 'ou' with the 'u' sound (as in 'tu').
  • Nasalizing the 'm' unnecessarily.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, especially with seaside context.

写作 3/5

The double 't' and the 'ou' spelling can be tricky for beginners.

口语 3/5

Requires correct 'ou' vowel and 'ette' ending pronunciation.

听力 2/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with 'meute' in fast speech.

接下来学什么

前置知识

oiseau mer blanc voler plage

接下来学习

goéland cormoran falaise marée port

高级

ornithologie plumage migrateur envergure palmipède

需要掌握的语法

Feminine nouns ending in -ette

Une mouette, une bicyclette, une fillette.

Gender of animals in French

La mouette (always feminine), Le crapaud (always masculine).

Plural of nouns ending in -e

Une mouette -> Des mouettes.

Adjective agreement with feminine nouns

La mouette est blanche.

Using 'beaucoup de' with plural nouns

Il y a beaucoup de mouettes.

按水平分级的例句

1

La mouette est blanche.

The seagull is white.

Feminine singular noun and adjective.

2

Je vois une mouette.

I see a seagull.

Indefinite article 'une' for feminine nouns.

3

Il y a des mouettes sur la plage.

There are seagulls on the beach.

Plural article 'des'.

4

La mouette vole.

The seagull flies.

Simple subject-verb agreement.

5

C'est une petite mouette.

It is a small seagull.

Adjective 'petite' follows the gender of the noun.

6

La mouette a faim.

The seagull is hungry.

Idiom 'avoir faim' (to have hunger).

7

J'aime les mouettes.

I like seagulls.

Definite article 'les' for general preference.

8

Où est la mouette ?

Where is the seagull?

Interrogative sentence structure.

1

La mouette crie très fort.

The seagull cries very loudly.

Adverb 'fort' modifying the verb 'crie'.

2

Une mouette s'est posée sur le bateau.

A seagull landed on the boat.

Passé composé with 'être' for a reflexive verb.

3

Regarde cette mouette avec le morceau de pain.

Look at this seagull with the piece of bread.

Demonstrative adjective 'cette' for feminine nouns.

4

Les mouettes vivent près de l'océan.

Seagulls live near the ocean.

Prepositional phrase 'près de'.

5

Ma grand-mère nourrit les mouettes.

My grandmother feeds the seagulls.

Present tense of the verb 'nourrir'.

6

La mouette cherche des poissons dans l'eau.

The seagull is looking for fish in the water.

Verb 'chercher' followed by a direct object.

7

Il y a beaucoup de mouettes dans le port.

There are many seagulls in the port.

Adverb of quantity 'beaucoup de'.

8

La mouette est plus petite que le goéland.

The seagull is smaller than the gull.

Comparative structure 'plus... que'.

1

Pendant mes vacances, j'écoutais le chant des mouettes le matin.

During my vacation, I used to listen to the seagulls' song in the morning.

Imperfect tense for habitual actions.

2

Si tu vas en Bretagne, tu verras des milliers de mouettes.

If you go to Brittany, you will see thousands of seagulls.

First conditional (si + present, future).

3

La mouette rieuse a une tête noire en été.

The black-headed gull has a black head in summer.

Specific species name 'mouette rieuse'.

4

J'ai pris une photo de la mouette qui volait au-dessus de nous.

I took a photo of the seagull that was flying over us.

Relative pronoun 'qui'.

5

Il ne faut pas donner n'importe quoi à manger aux mouettes.

You shouldn't give just anything to seagulls to eat.

Negative structure 'ne faut pas'.

6

La mouette semble perdue loin de la côte.

The seagull seems lost far from the coast.

Linking verb 'sembler'.

7

Le cri de la mouette me rappelle mon enfance.

The seagull's cry reminds me of my childhood.

Verb 'rappeler' with a direct object.

8

Nous avons observé une mouette construire son nid.

We observed a seagull building its nest.

Infinitive after a verb of perception.

1

Bien que la mouette soit commune, elle reste un oiseau fascinant.

Although the seagull is common, it remains a fascinating bird.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

2

L'envergure de cette mouette est impressionnante pour sa taille.

This seagull's wingspan is impressive for its size.

Specific vocabulary: 'envergure'.

3

Les mouettes ont tendance à suivre les chalutiers pour récupérer les restes.

Seagulls tend to follow trawlers to scavenge the remains.

Expression 'avoir tendance à'.

4

On peut apercevoir des mouettes rieuses même au centre de Paris.

One can spot black-headed gulls even in the center of Paris.

Verb 'apercevoir' (to spot/glimpse).

5

La pollution plastique menace la survie de nombreuses mouettes.

Plastic pollution threatens the survival of many seagulls.

Scientific/environmental context.

6

La mouette s'est adaptée à la présence humaine de manière surprenante.

The seagull has adapted to human presence in a surprising way.

Reflexive verb in passé composé.

7

Le plumage de la mouette change selon les saisons.

The seagull's plumage changes according to the seasons.

Noun 'plumage' and preposition 'selon'.

8

Il est rare de voir une mouette voler seule pendant si longtemps.

It is rare to see a seagull flying alone for so long.

Impersonal structure 'il est rare de'.

1

La mouette, par son vol gracieux, incarne l'esprit de liberté maritime.

The seagull, through its graceful flight, embodies the spirit of maritime freedom.

Literary register and apposition.

2

L'auteur utilise l'image de la mouette pour souligner la solitude du protagoniste.

The author uses the image of the seagull to emphasize the protagonist's solitude.

Analysis of literary motifs.

3

Les cris stridents des mouettes déchiraient le silence de la baie.

The seagulls' shrill cries tore through the silence of the bay.

Metaphorical verb 'déchirer'.

4

Il convient d'étudier le comportement migratoire de la mouette tridactyle.

It is appropriate to study the migratory behavior of the kittiwake.

Formal structure 'il convient de'.

5

La mouette trône au sommet du mât, dominant l'étendue azurée.

The seagull sits enthroned at the top of the mast, overlooking the azure expanse.

Elevated vocabulary: 'trôner', 'étendue azurée'.

6

On ne saurait ignorer l'impact du réchauffement climatique sur les colonies de mouettes.

One cannot ignore the impact of global warming on seagull colonies.

Formal negation 'ne saurait'.

7

La mouette est un sujet récurrent dans l'iconographie des régions côtières.

The seagull is a recurring subject in the iconography of coastal regions.

Academic term 'iconographie'.

8

S'envoler telle une mouette vers des horizons lointains est un rêve récurrent.

Taking flight like a seagull toward distant horizons is a recurring dream.

Simile using 'telle'.

1

L'éthologie de la mouette révèle des structures sociales d'une complexité insoupçonnée.

The ethology of the seagull reveals social structures of unsuspected complexity.

Highly technical vocabulary: 'éthologie'.

2

Dans 'La Mouette' d'Anton Tchekhov, l'oiseau devient le réceptacle de désirs inassouvis.

In Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull', the bird becomes the receptacle of unfulfilled desires.

Deep literary analysis.

3

La mouette, ce commensal de l'homme, tire profit de nos déchets avec une ingéniosité remarquable.

The seagull, this commensal of man, profits from our waste with remarkable ingenuity.

Technical biological term 'commensal'.

4

L'onomatopée imitant le cri de la mouette varie sensiblement d'une culture à l'autre.

The onomatopoeia imitating the seagull's cry varies significantly from one culture to another.

Linguistic observation.

5

La mouette rieuse, Larus ridibundus, se distingue par son masque nuptial chocolat.

The black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus, is distinguished by its chocolate nuptial mask.

Scientific Latin name and precise description.

6

Fustiger le comportement invasif des mouettes urbaines est devenu un lieu commun des éditoriaux locaux.

Criticizing the invasive behavior of urban seagulls has become a cliché of local editorials.

Sophisticated verb 'fustiger' and noun 'lieu commun'.

7

L'esthétique de la mouette en plein piqué a inspiré moult architectes navals.

The aesthetics of a seagull in a full dive have inspired many naval architects.

Archaic/literary quantifier 'moult'.

8

La mouette n'est plus ici qu'un signe sémiotique renvoyant à l'idée abstraite du départ.

The seagull is here nothing more than a semiotic sign referring to the abstract idea of departure.

Philosophical/semiotic context.

常见搭配

le cri de la mouette
une mouette rieuse
le vol d'une mouette
une nuée de mouettes
nourrir les mouettes
plumage de mouette
mouette argentée
nid de mouette
colonie de mouettes
mouette de mer

常用短语

Crier comme une mouette

— To scream in a high-pitched, annoying way.

Les enfants crient comme des mouettes dans le jardin.

Suivre comme une mouette

— To follow closely, usually hoping for food.

Il me suit comme une mouette suit un bateau de pêche.

Le ballet des mouettes

— The coordinated movement of many seagulls in the air.

Nous avons admiré le ballet des mouettes au coucher du soleil.

Une mouette sur un mât

— A classic seaside image/cliché.

C'est une photo typique : une mouette sur un mât.

Entendre les mouettes

— To be near the sea (often used to describe location).

D'ici, on peut déjà entendre les mouettes.

Le festin des mouettes

— When seagulls find a lot of food (often trash).

La poubelle renversée est devenue le festin des mouettes.

Plonger comme une mouette

— To dive quickly into water.

Il a plongé comme une mouette pour rattraper son ballon.

Libre comme une mouette

— To be completely free (similar to 'free as a bird').

En vacances, je me sens libre comme une mouette.

Une mouette rieuse

— Literally 'laughing gull', but used for the black-headed gull.

La mouette rieuse semble se moquer de nous.

Le passage des mouettes

— The seasonal movement or daily flight path of gulls.

Le passage des mouettes annonce le soir.

容易混淆的词

mouette vs meute

A pack (of wolves/dogs). Sounds similar but the 'ou' is different.

mouette vs muet

Mute/silent. Different pronunciation and meaning.

mouette vs moufle

Mitten. Only shares the first three letters.

习语与表达

"Rire comme une mouette"

— To have a loud, high-pitched laugh that sounds like a bird.

Elle rit comme une mouette quand elle est contente.

informal
"Une mouette de bureau"

— A rare slang for someone who 'flies in, makes noise, and leaves' (similar to the English 'seagull manager').

Notre patron est une vraie mouette de bureau.

slang/business
"C'est pas pour les mouettes"

— It's not for nothing / It's valuable.

Ce conseil, c'est pas pour les mouettes, écoute-moi.

informal/regional
"Avoir une cervelle de mouette"

— To be flighty or have a short attention span.

Il oublie tout, il a une cervelle de mouette.

informal
"Faire la mouette"

— To wave one's arms like wings.

Arrête de faire la mouette et aide-moi !

child-friendly
"Vendre du vent aux mouettes"

— To talk nonsense or sell something worthless.

Ce politicien ne fait que vendre du vent aux mouettes.

metaphorical
"Être le roi des mouettes"

— To be the leader of a noisy, disorganized group.

Sur la plage, il se prend pour le roi des mouettes.

humorous
"La mouette de Gaston"

— A reference to a famous clumsy bird in comics.

Ton chat ressemble à la mouette de Gaston.

cultural
"Gueuler comme une mouette"

— To shout very loudly and unpleasantly.

Le voisin gueule comme une mouette depuis une heure.

vulgar/slang
"Un cri de mouette"

— A sound that is piercing and sea-like.

Elle a poussé un cri de mouette en voyant la souris.

descriptive

容易混淆

mouette vs goéland

Both are 'seagulls' in English.

Goéland is larger, has a red spot on the beak, and is masculine. Mouette is smaller and feminine.

Le goéland est plus agressif que la mouette.

mouette vs alouette

Rhyming and bird-related.

Alouette is a lark, a small land bird that sings in fields.

L'alouette chante dans les champs, la mouette crie sur la mer.

mouette vs hirondelle

Both are agile flying birds.

Hirondelle is a swallow, much smaller and typically not associated with the sea.

L'hirondelle annonce le printemps, la mouette annonce la mer.

mouette vs pigeon

Both are common urban birds.

Pigeons are land birds; seagulls are water birds.

Il y a des pigeons à Paris et des mouettes à Brest.

mouette vs sterne

Similar appearance.

Sterne is a tern, often thinner with a more forked tail.

La sterne plonge plus profondément que la mouette.

句型

A1

La [mouette] est [adjective].

La mouette est blanche.

A2

Il y a une [mouette] sur le [noun].

Il y a une mouette sur le toit.

B1

J'entends le [noun] des [mouettes].

J'entends le cri des mouettes.

B2

La [mouette] que je [verb] est [adjective].

La mouette que je vois est rapide.

C1

Malgré le [noun], la [mouette] [verb].

Malgré le vent, la mouette plane.

C2

La [mouette] n'est qu'une [noun] de [noun].

La mouette n'est qu'une métaphore de l'exil.

A2

Regarde la [mouette] qui [verb].

Regarde la mouette qui vole.

B1

Si j'étais une [mouette], je [verb conditional].

Si j'étais une mouette, je volerais loin.

词族

名词

mouetton (rare, baby seagull)

相关

goéland
oiseau
mer
plage
vol

如何使用

frequency

Common in coastal areas, moderate in general French.

常见错误
  • Le mouette La mouette

    The word is always feminine, even for male birds.

  • Les mouettes blancs Les mouettes blanches

    Adjectives must agree with the feminine plural noun.

  • Un mouet Une mouette

    The ending is 'ette', not a silent 't'.

  • Calling a large gull a mouette Goéland

    Native speakers distinguish between the two based on size.

  • Spelling it 'mouete' mouette

    It requires a double 't' to maintain the correct pronunciation and spelling pattern.

小贴士

Gender Agreement

Always remember 'la mouette'. If you describe it, use feminine adjectives: 'une mouette bruyante'.

Specific Species

Learn 'mouette rieuse'. It's the most common type and makes you sound more like a native.

The 'OU' Sound

Keep your lips rounded. The 'ou' in 'mouette' is the same as in 'rouge' or 'soupe'.

Brittany Symbol

The seagull is a major symbol of Brittany. Use it when talking about trips to the West of France.

Double T

Don't forget the double 't'. It's 'mouette', not 'mouete'. Think of 'omelette'.

Seaside Setting

Use 'mouette' to set the scene in your stories. It immediately evokes the ocean for the reader.

Cry recognition

In French audio, 'le cri de la mouette' is a very common sound effect for beach scenes.

Laughter

Use 'rire comme une mouette' to describe a friend with a funny, loud laugh.

Mouette vs Goéland

Try to spot the difference on your next trip to France. It's a great conversation starter with locals.

Feeding birds

In France, it's often discouraged to feed 'les mouettes'. Mention this in discussions about nature.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a bird that 'MOO-ves' through the 'ETTE' (net). A Mouette!

视觉联想

Imagine a white bird wearing a small French 'casquette' (cap) sitting on a boat. The 'ette' in both words helps link them.

Word Web

mer plage oiseau blanc voler cri poisson bateau

挑战

Try to use 'mouette' and 'goéland' in the same sentence to describe a coastal scene you remember.

词源

The word 'mouette' comes from the Old French 'mawe', which was borrowed from the Old Norse 'már' (meaning seagull). It entered the French language through the Norman dialect, which was heavily influenced by Viking languages. The suffix '-ette' was added later to indicate a diminutive form, distinguishing the smaller 'mouette' from larger birds.

原始含义: A small sea bird.

Indo-European (via Germanic/Norse influence on Romance).

文化背景

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in some coastal cities, seagulls are considered pests, so don't be surprised if locals complain about them.

In English, we usually just say 'seagull', but in French, you must choose between 'mouette' and 'goéland'.

Gaston Lagaffe (Comic) La Mouette (Chekhov play title in French) L'Albatros (Baudelaire poem, often compared)

在生活中练习

真实语境

At the beach

  • Attention à la mouette !
  • Elle est belle cette mouette.
  • Il y a trop de mouettes.
  • La mouette veut manger.

In a port

  • Les mouettes suivent le bateau.
  • Le cri des mouettes est fort.
  • Les mouettes attendent le poisson.
  • Regarde les mouettes sur le quai.

Weather report

  • Le vol des mouettes annonce la pluie.
  • Les mouettes rentrent dans les terres.
  • Observation des oiseaux marins.
  • Conditions pour les mouettes.

Literature/Art

  • La mouette symbolise la liberté.
  • Une peinture d'une mouette.
  • Le poète parle de la mouette.
  • La mouette dans le ciel gris.

Environmental talk

  • Protéger les mouettes.
  • L'habitat de la mouette.
  • Les mouettes et le plastique.
  • Recensement des mouettes.

对话开场白

"Est-ce que tu aimes le cri des mouettes le matin ?"

"As-tu déjà vu une mouette rieuse de près ?"

"Je trouve que les mouettes sont plus jolies que les pigeons, et toi ?"

"Sais-tu faire la différence entre une mouette et un goéland ?"

"Quelle est la plus belle plage pour observer les mouettes selon toi ?"

日记主题

Décrivez une journée à la mer en utilisant le mot 'mouette' trois fois.

Imaginez que vous êtes une mouette survolant la côte bretonne. Que voyez-vous ?

Pourquoi la mouette est-elle un symbole de vacances pour beaucoup de gens ?

Racontez une histoire drôle impliquant une mouette et de la nourriture.

Comparez la vie d'une mouette à la mer et d'une mouette à Paris.

常见问题

10 个问题

It is always feminine (la mouette), regardless of the actual sex of the bird. This is a common rule for many animal names in French.

A 'mouette' is generally smaller with a thinner beak. A 'goéland' is larger, more powerful, and has a thicker beak with a red spot. In English, both are often called seagulls.

Yes, several species of 'mouettes', like the 'mouette rieuse', have adapted to life in cities and can be found along the Seine river in Paris.

It is pronounced /mwɛt/. The 'ou' makes a 'w' sound after the 'm', and the 'ette' is pronounced like 'bet'.

No, you must say 'la mouette mâle'. The grammatical gender of the word does not change.

It literally means 'laughing gull'. It is the name of the most common seagull species in France, known for its high-pitched cry.

Yes, it is very common, especially if you live near the coast or are talking about vacations and nature.

Generally, 'mouettes' are less aggressive than 'goélands', but they can still try to take food if they are used to humans.

The plural is 'mouettes'. The 's' is silent in pronunciation.

Yes, 'rire comme une mouette' means to have a very loud, high-pitched laugh.

自我测试 100 个问题

writing

Décrivez une mouette en une phrase simple.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Où avez-vous vu des mouettes pour la dernière fois ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Prononcez : 'La mouette blanche'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez le mot : [mouette]

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:

/ 100 correct

Perfect score!

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