hypocrite
/i.pɔ.kʁit/feminine, masculine
The English word 'hypocrite' is translated into French as hypocrite. Wiktionary also lists pharisienne and tartufe.
Meaning: person practising hypocrisy (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hypocrite | /i.pɔ.kʁit/ | feminine, masculine |
| pharisienne | feminine | |
| tartufe | /taʁ.tyf/ | feminine, masculine |
The term is used to describe a person practicing hypocrisy. It can function as both a noun to name a person and an adjective to describe someone's behavior.
Which one should you use?
While hypocrite is the common term, pharisienne is a more specific, often literary or religious way to describe a hypocritical woman. The term tartufe can also be used to describe a hypocrite.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word hypocrite can function as both a noun and an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /i.pɔ.kʁit/ and consists of 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
The term tartufe refers to a hypocrite, a reference to the title character in Molière's play 'Tartuffe'.
Did you know?
- The word tartufe was borrowed from the Italian word tartufo, which literally means 'truffle'.
- Molière's play 'Tartuffe' was so controversial for its portrayal of religious hypocrisy that it was banned by King Louis XIV for several years.
- The word tartufe is an eponym, meaning it turned the name of a fictional character into a common noun for any hypocrite.
Examples in context
- Jeff est un hypocrite.Jeff is a hypocrite.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person as a hypocrite using hypocrite.Tatoeba #9279853 by alemfarid, translation #11669696 by tieguy
- Tom est tellement hypocrite.Tom is such a hypocrite.This sentence is useful for emphasizing the degree of someone's hypocrisy using hypocrite.Tatoeba #7831904 by felix63, translation #3436696 by CK
- Je ne suis pas un hypocrite.I'm not a hypocrite.This sentence is useful for denying that one is a hypocrite using hypocrite.Tatoeba #12176387 by Rovo, translation #3823639 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- ManonElle dit tout ça, mais c'est une hypocrite.She says all that, but she is a hypocrite.
- NathanJe suis d'accord, elle ment tout le temps.I agree, she lies all the time.
- ManonJe ne peux plus supporter un tel hypocrite.I can't stand such a hypocrite anymore.
- NathanOn devrait juste arrêter de la voir.We should just stop seeing her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hypocrite” translations and entries hypocrite, tartufe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tartufe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
