PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Education and Communications
World Languages
French
Pronouncing French
How Do You Say "Seal" in French? (And More French Vocab) Download Article 6 ways to say “seal” in French (including the one that went viral) Co-authored by Language Academia and Janice Tieperman
Last Updated: June 3, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
How do you say “seal” in French?
|
More Ways to Use "Phoque"
|
More Ways to Say “Seal” in French
|
Video
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 130,064 times.
We’ve all seen the “Hey Siri, how do you say seal in French?” TikTok—but does this hilarious video actually have any truth to it? Believe it or not, it does: the French word for "seal" is "phoque," and you can imagine how the pronunciation makes for some entertaining word play! We’ll walk you through this funky vocabulary word so you can know exactly how to say "seal" in French. We’ve even outlined some other French words that also mean “seal,” so you can flex your new French know-how in your next conversation.
How to Say "Seal" in French
“Phoque” means “seal” in French (as in the cute sea mammal). Like the popular TikTok by The Mannii Show implies, the word is pronounced as “fok” and sounds an awful lot like the F-word in English. This makes saying "phoque" in place of the F-word a popular joke online.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
How do you say “seal” in French?
Download Article
The French word for seal is “phoque” (pronounced as “fok”). Yup, the viral TikTok is totally on the money—the French word for the adorable sea mammal is, in fact, “phoque.”[1]XResearch source The word “phoque” (fok) sounds extremely similar to a popular English expletive word, but with an “oh” vowel sound instead of an “uh.”[2]XResearch source
This is a masculine word in French, so you’d use masculine articles like “le” and “un” to say “the” and “a,” respectively.
Example Sentence: Le phoque est très mignon (leh fok eh treh mi-nyon): the seal is very cute.
Advertisement Section 2 of 3:
More Ways to Use "Phoque"
Download Article
1 A “bébé phoque” is a baby seal. The viral TikTok is right about this, too. A baby seal is called a “bébé phoque,” which is pronounced as “beh-beh fok.”[3]XResearch source
2 A “maman phoque” is a mother seal. In the TikTok, the user makes a joke that a mother seal is a “mother phoque-er.” Obviously, this isn’t the correct translation—you’d actually say “maman phoque” (mah-mahn fok), which translates to “mother seal.”
For example, “maman phoque et bébé phoque” (mah-mahn fok eh beh-beh fok) translates to “mother seal and baby seal.”[4]XResearch source
To say "father seal," use "papa phoque" (pah-pah fok).
Advertisement Section 3 of 3:
More Ways to Say “Seal” in French
Download Article
1 "Joint" is the word for a seal on an opening. You know the rubber seal that goes around your refrigerator door, or the seal along the bottom of your door? In French, you’d call either of these a “joint” (jwin).
2 "Sceau" refers to a physical stamp or seal. Have you ever seen those fancy symbols or icons that are sometimes used on fancy documents? In French, this is often called a “sceau” (so). A famous example of this is the “The Grand Seal of France,” also known as “Le Grand Sceau de France” (leh ɡran so duh frans).[5]XResearch source
“Cachet” (ka-shè) is another word for seal or stamp in French.[6]XResearch source
3 "Sceller" (sé-lé) is the French verb for “to seal something shut.” You’d use this verb to describe physically sealing something, like a door or a window.[7]XResearch source When conjugated, the root of the verb is pronounced like “sell.”
Example: “Je scelle la porte” (je sell la pawrt) translates to “I seal the door.”
The verb “colmater” (kol-ma-té) also means “to fill in.”[8]XResearch source
The verb “fermer hermétiquement” (férmé ér-mé-tik-man) can also mean “to tightly seal.”
4 "Cacheter" means “to seal up.” The verb “cacheter” (ka-she-té) also means “to seal.” Similarly, the verb “décacheter” (dé-ka-she-té) means “to unseal.”
Example: “Je cachette l’enveloppe” (je ka-shèt l’an-ve-lop) means “I seal the envelope.”
5 "Régler" means “to settle” something, like a decision. In a story, the author might say that a character “seals” their fate after making an important decision. This type of “sealing” translates to “régler” (ré-glé), the French verb for settling on a choice.[9]XResearch source
Example: “Elle règle son destin” (èl règl soh dés-tin) translates to “She decides her destiny.”
You can also use the verb “conclure” (kon-klur) to talk about finalizing or “sealing” an agreement with someone, like an author signing off on a book deal. As an example, “Je conclus l'accord” (je kon-kloo l’a-kor) translates to “I make the deal.”
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
What the Seal 🦭 Emoji Means on TikTok & Why It’s So PopularHow toSay Shut up in FrenchHow toPronounce French WordsFrench Phrases to Call Your BoyfriendHow toSay Goodnight in FrenchHow toPronounce the Letters of the French AlphabetHow toSpeak FrenchHow toSay Yes in FrenchHow toCount to 50 in FrenchHow toCount to Ten in French80+ Sweet, Cute & Funny French Terms of Endearment to Show LoveHow toSay Take Care in French65+ “F*ck” Synonyms: Appropriate Ways to Say Your Favorite Swear WordHow toSay Please in French Advertisement
Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This article has been viewed 130,064 times. 11 votes - 73% Co-authors: 5Updated: June 3, 2025 Views: 130,064 Categories: Pronouncing French In other languagesPortuguese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 130,064 times.
Reader Success Stories
Carmella W.
May 6, 2025
"It was very funny and enjoyable to read!" Rated this article:
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors 11 votes - 73% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 5Updated: June 3, 2025 Views: 130,064
Carmella W.
May 6, 2025
"It was very funny and enjoyable to read!" Rated this article:
Amelia
Nov 5, 2022
"This was very informative and funny." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
Quizzes & Games
Name the Meme QuizTake QuizHow Well Do You Know Gen Alpha Slang QuizTake QuizEmoji TestTake QuizBrainrot Translator TestTake QuizAm I a Gen Alpha QuizTake QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
What the Seal 🦭 Emoji Means on TikTok & Why It’s So PopularHow toSay Shut up in FrenchHow toPronounce French WordsFrench Phrases to Call Your Boyfriend
Featured Articles
How toRemove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?
Trending Articles
Am I Chopped QuizGuess My Age QuizHow Rich Will I Be QuizWhat Color Is My Name QuizChildhood Trauma TestCrush Calculator: Does Your Crush Like You Back?
Featured Articles
How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out With
Featured Articles
What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Will 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureUnderstanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)
Watch Articles
How toIron PantsHow toCut LimesHow to Make Your Own Comforting Cinnamon TeaHow toDraw 3D ShapesHow toMake a Sugar ScrubHow to Wear a Scarf: 19 Different Styles
Trending Articles
Am I Neurotypical or Neurodivergent QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizHypersexuality TestWhat Does My Crush Think of Me QuizGuess My Deepest Secret Quiz
Quizzes & Games
IQ TestTake QuizGuess the Mystery Word QuizTake QuizGuess the Emoji QuizTake QuizCan You Rizz Up Your Lady QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizAm I a Bouba or Kiki QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Education and Communications
World Languages
French
Pronouncing French
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Home
About wikiHow
Experts
Jobs
Contact Us
Site Map
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info
Contribute
Follow Us
×
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Develop the tech skills you need for work and life
Download Article 6 ways to say “seal” in French (including the one that went viral) Co-authored by Language Academia and Janice Tieperman 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This article has been viewed 130,064 times. 11 votes - 73% Co-authors: 5 Updated: June 3, 2025 Views: 130,064 Categories: Pronouncing French In other languagesPortuguese 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
588 
The French word for seal is “phoque” (pronounced as “fok”). Yup, the viral TikTok is totally on the money—the French word for the adorable sea mammal is, in fact, “phoque.”[1] The word “phoque” (fok) sounds extremely similar to a popular English expletive word, but with an “oh” vowel sound instead of an “uh.”[2] 
1 A “bébé phoque” is a baby seal. The viral TikTok is right about this, too. A baby seal is called a “bébé phoque,” which is pronounced as “beh-beh fok.”[3] 
2 A “maman phoque” is a mother seal. In the TikTok, the user makes a joke that a mother seal is a “mother phoque-er.” Obviously, this isn’t the correct translation—you’d actually say “maman phoque” (mah-mahn fok), which translates to “mother seal.” 
1 "Joint" is the word for a seal on an opening. You know the rubber seal that goes around your refrigerator door, or the seal along the bottom of your door? In French, you’d call either of these a “joint” (jwin). 
2 "Sceau" refers to a physical stamp or seal. Have you ever seen those fancy symbols or icons that are sometimes used on fancy documents? In French, this is often called a “sceau” (so). A famous example of this is the “The Grand Seal of France,” also known as “Le Grand Sceau de France” (leh ɡran so duh frans).[5] 
3 "Sceller" (sé-lé) is the French verb for “to seal something shut.” You’d use this verb to describe physically sealing something, like a door or a window.[7] When conjugated, the root of the verb is pronounced like “sell.” 
4 "Cacheter" means “to seal up.” The verb “cacheter” (ka-she-té) also means “to seal.” Similarly, the verb “décacheter” (dé-ka-she-té) means “to unseal.” 
5 "Régler" means “to settle” something, like a decision. In a story, the author might say that a character “seals” their fate after making an important decision. This type of “sealing” translates to “régler” (ré-glé), the French verb for settling on a choice.[9]