honorable
/ɔ.nɔ.ʁabl/
The English word "honourable" is translated as honorable in French.
The adjective honorable is used to describe someone or something that is honourable. Depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, you might also use Respectable to describe someone as respectable in a casual sense, Digne de respect to mean worthy of respect or Digne de confiance to mean trustworthy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective honorable is invariable in gender, so it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make the adjective plural, add an s to the end to form honorables.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔ.nɔ.ʁabl/
Did you know?
- In French, the word honorable is often used to describe an amount or a result that is 'passable' or 'satisfactory' rather than strictly 'virtuous'. For example, one might speak of an honorable mention or an honorable score to mean something was quite good, if not exceptional.
- While English speakers often use 'honourable' as a formal title for politicians or judges, using honorable to address a person directly in French would sound strange and overly literal. In French, titles of respect are usually handled by the person's specific office or by using Monsieur or Madame.
- Writing un honneur honorable is seen as a pleonasm, meaning the phrase is redundant and avoided in elegant French prose.
Examples in context
- Monsieur le Ministre, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. Vous êtes un homme honorable.Minister, it's a pleasure to meet you. You are an honourable man.
- Elle est une personne digne de respect qui a accompli de grandes choses.She is a person worthy of respect who has achieved great things.
- C'est une personne respectable qui est respectée de tous.She is an honourable person who is respected by all.
- Je suis honoré de recevoir cette récompense prestigieuse.I am honoured to receive this prestigious award.
- Il a été un adversaire digne de respect tout au long de la compétition.He has been a worthy opponent throughout the competition.
- C'est un homme honorable qui a toujours agi avec intégrité.He is an honourable man who has always acted with integrity.
- Mon grand-père est une personne respectable et estimée dans notre communauté.My grandfather is a respected and esteemed person in our community.
- C'est un geste honorable.It is an honourable gesture.
- Il a toujours été très honorable.He has always been very honourable.
- Voulez-vous une fin honorable ?Do you want an honourable end?
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are discussing a colleague's decision to admit a mistake.
- EmmaLucas, je trouve son geste très honorable.Lucas, I find his gesture very honourable.
- LucasJe suis d'accord, il a été honnête.I agree, he was honest.
- EmmaPeu de gens auraient fait cela.Few people would have done that.
- LucasC'est effectivement une attitude honorable.It is indeed an honourable attitude.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry honorable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
