French word

choyer

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃwaje/

Meaning

  • verbpamper

Example

Il choie toujours son chien.

He always pampers his dog.

Illustration for choyer (pamper)

More examples

Ses grands-parents choient leurs petits-enfants.

The grandparents pamper their grandchildren.

Core concept

A person or pet receives unusually attentive care, including indulgence toward its whims.

Common phrases

  • choyer quelqu'un

    pamper someone

  • choyer un enfant

    pamper a child

  • choyer son chien

    pamper his dog

Similar words

chouchouter: To give someone special attention and treat them with favoritism.
gâter: To spoil someone by granting all their wishes.
cajoler: To soothe or indulge someone with gentle words and gestures.
câliner: To show affection by hugging or gently touching someone.

Definition in French

Montrer de l'affection en donnant des soins particuliers et en cédant parfois aux caprices de l'autre.

Word origin

Choyer comes from Old French choier, a medieval verb for caring for someone attentively; its deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Choyer normally takes a direct object, as in choyer son chien, while se faire choyer means to be pampered.

Other meanings

  • spoilverb
  • dote on ___verb

Opposites

Related words

  • choyépamperedadjective

Word lists with this word