chantage
/ʃɑ̃.taʒ/masculine
The English phrase blackmail is translated into French as chantage.
chantage is a masculine noun used to describe the extortion of money through threats of public accusation, exposure or censure.
Meaning: extortion of money by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure (noun)
Which one should you use?
While chantage is the noun for the concept of blackmail, you cannot use it as a direct verb. You must use faire du chantage or faire chanter.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɑ̃.taʒ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word chantage comes from the verb chanter, which means 'to sing'. In a criminal context, it originally referred to forcing someone to 'sing' or confess their secrets.
- In French, the term chantage affectif describes a form of emotional blackmail where someone uses guilt or affection to manipulate another person.
- The term chantage à l'image is a specific legal and social category in France for blackmail involving the threat of releasing photos or videos.
Examples in context
- S'agit-il de chantage ?Is this blackmail?This sentence is useful for asking if a situation constitutes chantage.Tatoeba #8648842 by Micsmithel, translation #3690762 by Hybrid
- Ne cède pas au chantage.Don't give in to blackmail.This sentence is useful for advising someone not to succumb to chantage.Tatoeba #11527097 by Aiji, translation #10502049 by AlanF_US
- Tom est sujet au chantage.Tom is vulnerable to blackmail.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is vulnerable to chantage.Tatoeba #12748853 by Rovo, translation #12748533 by rul
- Ils ont utilisé du chantage pour obtenir ce qu'ils voulaient.They used blackmail to get what they wanted.
- Le chantage est un crime grave et punissable par la loi.Blackmail is a serious crime punishable by law.
- Les victimes de chantage doivent en informer les autorités compétentes.Victims of blackmail should report it to the relevant authorities.
- Il essaie de me faire du chantage avec des photos compromettantes.He's trying to blackmail me with compromising pictures.
- J'ai découvert qu'il faisait du chantage à notre ami commun.I found out he was blackmailing our mutual friend.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing a news report about a crime.
- NathanC'est une affaire de chantage très grave.It is a very serious case of blackmail.
- ManonJe suis d'accord, c'est effrayant.I agree, it is scary.
- NathanElle a été victime de ce chantage.She was a victim of this blackmail.
- ManonLa police doit l'aider vite.The police must help her quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blackmail” translations and entries chantage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chantage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
