moelleux v. humide

I see "humide" used for "a moist cloth" or "moist soil." Are there other instances where "humide" instead of "moelleux" is used ? "moelleux" is used for "a moist cake" even though the moistness is due to the liquid. In all the other examples I have -- tender meat, a soft bed, a sweet wine -- "moelleux" is referring to the softness. The dictionary also has "juteux" (juicy) or "moelleux" for moist or juicy meat. In this case since it is about liquid, "humide" would seem to be used instead of "moelleux."

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Permalink Reply by Chantal Savignat on April 19, 2013 at 9:33pm

Hello

You're right for all

"Moelleux" never means "humide". we don't say "humide" instead of "moelleux"

"moelleux" means always "soft", "humide" doen't really mean "with a liquid" but rather "with water" or a liquid that seems to be water.

cloth => "humide" means that clothes are not wet, and "moelleux" means that the clothes are soft like a pullover or a blanket

cake => we say "moelleux" when the pastry is soft even if there is juice inside.

wine => wine is "moelleux" : it's a technical word to say that the wine is sweet and soft.

meat => we say "tendre" if the meat can be cut easily, for a baby, ...

if you put a leg of lamb in an over just for the best time, in the middle it's pink and there is juice with the blood => the leg of lamb is "juteux" and "moelleux" if the meat is soft. we don't say "humide" for meat. We use "humide" for water or for something that seems to be water.