cruel
/kʁy.ɛl/
The English word 'cruel' is cruel in French.
The adjective is used to describe someone or something that intentionally causes pain and suffering.
Meaning: that intentionally causes pain and suffering (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term méchant may be used more frequently to describe someone who is cruel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular is cruelle. For plural forms, use cruels for masculine plural and cruelles for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁy.ɛl/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- In certain French expressions, the word cruel can be used to describe a sudden or harsh contrast, such as a 'cruel' difference between two situations.
- In French, you can describe a joke as cruel if it is biting or harshly truthful, rather than just being meant to cause pain.
- The English word 'cruel' and the French word cruel are essentially linguistic twins, both descending from the Latin 'crudelis'.
Examples in context
- Tom a été cruel.Tom was cruel.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a person's behavior using cruel.Tatoeba #5329203 by Aiji, translation #3171148 by CK
- Le roi est cruel.The king is cruel.This sentence is useful for using cruel to describe a person of high status.Tatoeba #8643386 by Julien_PDC, translation #13318881 by frasersanders
- Le monde est cruel.The world is cruel.This sentence is useful for using cruel to describe the state of the world.Tatoeba #1222874 by sacredceltic, translation #1651096 by Spamster
- Il est vraiment méchant avec les animauxHe is really cruel to animals
- Ce dictateur était un véritable bourreauThis dictator was a real tyrant
- Il est sans pitié, il ne ressent aucun remordsHe is merciless, he feels no remorse
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a character in a movie.
- HugoCe méchant est vraiment cruel.This villain is truly cruel.
- ManonOui, il est très cruel envers les autres.Yes, he is very cruel to others.
- HugoC'est un personnage difficile à aimer.He is a difficult character to love.
- ManonJe suis d'accord avec toi, Hugo.I agree with you, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cruel” translations and entries cruel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cruel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
