This French word may sound slightly childish…
Why do I need to know neuneu?
The French word neuneu can be used in a light and teasing way but can also be mildly insulting.
What does it mean?
The word neuneu, roughly pronounced nuh-nuh (listen here), is used to describe someone who is a bit silly, not very bright, naive in a somewhat foolish way. The feminine version is spelt neueneue with an -e.
Its origins most likely come from the diminutive repetition of the word nœud (knot), which is used in French to refer to a fool (tête de nœud). The repetition of the first syllable creates a childish sound, which helps explain why it often feels mocking but not extremely harsh.
You may have heard about the French historic fun fair la fête à Neu-Neu, but it has little to do with the word neuneu. In this case, Neu-Neu is a nickname derived from Neuilly (as in Neuilly-sur-Seine, located outside of Paris), where the fair was originally held in the 19th century. It was first established during Napoleon’s reign in 1815.
The expression c’est la fête à Neu-Neu (seh lah fet ah nuh-nuh) became idiomatic and can mean “it’s complete chaos” and is usually used when things are noisy, disorderly, or out of control.
Use it like this
Il est gentil, mais un peu neuneu. – He’s nice, but a bit silly.
Elle pleure pour un rien, celle-là. Une vraie neuneue ! – She always cries for no reason… she’s not very bright.
Ce personnage est volontairement neuneu. – That character is deliberately goofy and simple-minded.
