gaucher

left-handed

adjective go-SHEH Rare

Origin: From gauche (left), with the suffix -er forming an agent/quality adjective

Usage Note

Gaucher (feminine gauchère) simply means left-handed and carries no pejorative nuance in modern French, though the root gauche also means 'awkward'. The noun un gaucher / une gauchère refers to a left-handed person. Historically, left-handedness was discouraged in French schools, so older speakers may use the term with more weight.

Examples

"Ma sœur est gauchère et joue de la guitare."

Natural Translation

My sister is left-handed and plays guitar.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

En, Au, Aux: French Prepositions for Countries

Use en for feminine countries, au for masculine, aux for plural, and à for cities. Full French preposition rule for countries, with a lookup table and traps.

June 4, 2026 5 min read