effronté
/e.fʁɔ̃.te/
The English phrase "cheeky" can be translated into French as effronté.
effronté is used to describe someone who is bold or impudent. While it covers the meaning of being cheeky, it carries a stronger connotation of being rude or lacking respect than the English word often does.
Meaning: impudent, impertinent (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, "cheeky" can sometimes be used affectionately or playfully, but effronté carries a stronger connotation of being rude or lacking respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective effronté must agree in gender with the person being described, taking the form effrontée for a female. The adjective effronté takes the form effrontés when describing a group of males or a mixed-gender group and effrontées when describing a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
3 syllables: /e.fʁɔ̃.te/
Did you know?
- The French concept of 'cheekiness' is often linked to the word culot, which refers to the 'seat of the pants' or 'gall'.
- The word effronté literally translates to 'without a forehead' from the Latin 'effrons'.
- If someone has 'the cheek' to do something, a French speaker might say they have du toupet, referring to a forelock of hair on the forehead.
Examples in context
- Écoute ! Ne sois pas si effronté !Listen up! Don't be so cheeky!This sentence is useful for practicing how to tell someone not to be so effronté.Tatoeba #6855772 by felix63, translation #6861492 by kaiperkins271
- Il est impertinent de lui répondre ainsiIt is cheeky to answer him like that
- Il a été effronté durant la réunionHe was cheeky during the meeting
- Arrête d'être aussi coquin !Stop being so cheeky!
- Son sourire malicieux en disait longHis playful smile said it all
- Ce petit plaisantin ne manque jamais une occasion de blaguerThis cheeky joker never misses an opportunity to joke around
- Pierre a fait une remarque impertinente lors de la réunion.Pierre made a cheeky remark during the meeting
- Elle adore lancer des blagues malicieuses à ses amis.She loves making cheeky jokes to her friends
- Ce garçon est vraiment coquin, toujours en train de faire des bêtises !This boy is really cheeky, always up to mischief!
- Je n'aime pas ce jeune homme effronté.I do not like this cheeky young man.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing a difficult customer at a cafe.
- GabrielCe client était vraiment effronté avec moi.This customer was really cheeky with me.
- LéaIl a été impoli envers toi, Gabriel ?Was he rude to you, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, il a été très effronté.Yes, he was very cheeky.
- LéaC'est inacceptable de sa part.That is unacceptable of him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheeky” translations and entries effronté, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries effronté, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
