hommes de main
The English phrase henchmen is translated into French as hommes de main.
The term hommes de main is used to describe subordinates who carry out the dirty work or illegal orders of a leader or criminal figure.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'men of hand'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase hommes de main, only the word homme is pluralized to indicate multiple henchmen.
Did you know?
- In modern French slang, a henchman might be called a sbire, a word that originally referred to a low-ranking official in the royal administration.
- While hommes de main implies physical force, a French person might use the phrase bras droit to describe a more trusted, high-ranking lieutenant. It literally means 'right arm' and suggests someone essential to a leader's operation.
- The English word 'henchman' actually has a much different origin than the French 'men of hand', as the English term originally referred to a devoted companion or a lover.
Examples in context
- Les acolytes du chef sont prêts à tout pour le soutenirThe henchmen of the leader are ready to do anything to support him
- Les séides du dictateur exécutent ses ordres sans hésiterThe henchmen of the dictator execute his orders without hesitation
- Les larbins du bandit ont commis le crimeThe henchmen of the bandit committed the crime
- Le chef a envoyé ses hommes de main.The boss sent his henchmen.
- Ces hommes de main sont très dangereux.These henchmen are very dangerous.
- Il a engagé des hommes de main pour l'intimider.He hired henchmen to intimidate him.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are discussing a crime movie they just watched.
- ChloéLe méchant a trop d'hommes de main.The villain has too many henchmen.
- LucasOui, ils sont partout dans le film.Yes, they are everywhere in the movie.
- ChloéComment le héros peut-il gagner ?How can the hero win?
- LucasIl doit être plus malin qu'eux.He has to be smarter than them.
