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A2 French poslechová cvičení · Francouzština · Vybráno pro začátečníci
What does “chouchou” mean in French?
Un chouchou is the fabric-covered elastic that ties up your hair — a scrunchie. But the very same word means someone’s favorite or pet: le chouchou de la maîtresse is the teacher’s pet, and chouchou doubles as a soft term of endearment for a loved one. So one little word covers a hair accessory, a playground accusation, and a sweetheart, with context doing all the work.
It grows out of chou, “cabbage,” a classic French pet name (mon chou, “my darling”). Doubled up to chouchou, it intensifies the affection — which is exactly why the “favorite” sense can turn faintly mocking when a teacher visibly prefers one pupil. The scrunchie meaning is the everyday one you will hear most.