mécontentement
The English word 'discontent' translates to French as mécontentement.
mécontentement is used to express the noun 'dissatisfaction'.
Meaning: dissatisfaction (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is built from the prefix mé- (meaning 'bad' or 'wrong') and contentement (meaning 'contentment' or 'satisfaction').
Which one should you use?
While mécontentement refers to the state of being dissatisfied, the related adjective mécontent refers to the person who is dissatisfied.
How does it change in a sentence?
mécontentement is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- A person experiencing mécontentement might be described as having le cafard, a French idiom that literally translates to 'having the cockroach' to express a state of gloom or dissatisfaction.
- French has a specific word ras-le-bol to describe a state of total discontent where one has simply 'had enough', a colorful term that cannot be translated as a single word in English.
- The root word content shares a history with the English 'contain', as both relate to the idea of holding or encompassing something within.
Examples in context
- C'est maintenant qu'est l'hiver de notre mécontentement.Now is the winter of our discontent.Tatoeba #3229683 by sacredceltic, translation #3222646 by Hybrid
- Ces règles alimentent le mécontentement parmi les étudiants.Those rules foster discontent among students.Tatoeba #332391 by hortusdei, translation #442643 by sacredceltic
- J'ai exprimé mon mécontentement à mon supérieurI voiced my discontent to my superior.
- Il a fait part de son insatisfaction par rapport au service fourniHe expressed his dissatisfaction with the service provided.
- Le malaise grandissant dans notre équipe est préoccupantThe growing discontent within our team is concerning.
- J'en ai marre de cette situation!I'm tired of this situation!
- J'en ai assez de ces problèmes récurrentsI've had enough of these recurring problems.
- Je suis mécontent des résultats de ce projet.I am discontent with the results of this project.
- Tu en as marre des embouteillages tous les jours.You're tired of the traffic jams every day.
- Elle manifeste son insatisfaction quant à son salaire.She expresses her dissatisfaction with her salary.
- Son mécontentement est devenu très visible.His dissatisfaction became very visible.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing the new office policies.
- LucasTu sens le mécontentement des employés ?Do you feel the employees' dissatisfaction?
- ChloéOui, Lucas, tout le monde est furieux.Yes, Lucas, everyone is furious.
- LucasEst-ce que la direction va agir ?Is the management going to act?
- ChloéJe l'espère bien, pour le calme de l'équipe.I certainly hope so, for the sake of the team's peace.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
