Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rusé | /ʁy.ze/ | |
| roublard | /ʁu.blaʁ/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe someone or something that is cunning, deceiving or not straightforward.
Which one should you use?
While rusé is a standard adjective that can have a neutral or even positive connotation meaning clever or resourceful, roublard is a more colloquial and slightly more pejorative way to describe a person as cunning or devious, often implying a more dishonest or shady character.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
roublard is a colloquial term, whereas calculateur is a formal alternative that implies someone behaves in a scheming or devious manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rusé changes based on gender and number: use rusée for the feminine singular, rusés for the masculine plural and rusées for the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʁy.ze/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- Unlike the English word 'devious', which can describe a winding road, rusé only refers to a person's character or a plan. To describe a winding path, French speakers use sinueux.
- The adjective rusé is the exact same word used for the famous fox in many French fables. In these stories, the fox is the ultimate example of being 'resourceful' rather than just 'bad'.
- In many French dialects, a person who is very 'roublard' might be called a 'vieux renard', which translates to 'old fox'. This is a common idiom for someone who is impossible to fool.
Examples in context
- Le politicien a été accusé d'un comportement sournois pendant la campagne électorale.The politician was accused of devious behavior during the election campaign.
- La diplomate avait un plan sournois pour obtenir ce qu'elle désirait.The diplomat had a devious plan to obtain what she desired.
- Le PDG s'est révélé être un individu calculateur, prêt à tout pour augmenter ses bénéfices.The CEO turned out to be a devious individual, willing to do anything to increase his profits.
- Je me méfie de ses actes calculés dans cette affaire.I am wary of his calculated actions in this matter.
- Je me méfie de cette personne, elle est vraiment vicieuse.I don't trust that person, she's really devious.
- Ne te laisse pas tromper par son apparence angélique, elle est réellement vicieuse.Don't be fooled by her angelic appearance, she is truly devious.
- Le vendeur était fourbe et essayait de me convaincre d'acheter un produit de mauvaise qualité.The salesman was devious and trying to convince me to buy a poor-quality product.
- Son comportement fourbe lui a valu la perte de la confiance de ses collègues.His deceitful behavior led to him losing the trust of his colleagues.
- Ses stratagèmes matois lui permettent de toujours sortir gagnant dans cet environnement compétitif de l'entreprise.His cunning stratagems always allow him to come out on top in this competitive corporate environment.
- Il est très rusé dans ses affaires.He is very cunning in his business affairs.
- C'est un plan rusé pour gagner.It is a devious plan to win.
- Elle a utilisé un stratagème rusé.She used a cunning stratagem.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a mystery novel.
- ChloéCe personnage est vraiment rusé.This character is truly devious.
- LucasOui, il trompe tout le monde.Yes, he deceives everyone.
- ChloéLucas, tu ne trouves pas qu'il est trop malin ?Lucas, don't you think he is too clever?
- LucasIl est rusé, mais c'est fascinant.He is cunning, but it is fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devious” translations and entries rusé, roublard, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
