ignorant
/i.ɲɔ.ʁɑ̃/
The English word unaware is translated into French as ignorant.
ignorant is used to describe someone who lacks specific knowledge or is unaware of something. While in English the word often implies being rude or uneducated, in French it can simply mean a person is lacking certain information.
Meaning: unaware (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is ignorant. To form the feminine singular, add an e to get ignorante. The masculine plural is created by adding an s to the masculine singular, resulting in ignorants and the feminine plural is created by adding an s to the feminine singular, resulting in ignorantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/i.ɲɔ.ʁɑ̃/
Did you know?
- Unlike in English, where 'ignorant' can be a synonym for 'bigoted', the French ignorant almost never refers to prejudice and instead refers strictly to a lack of information.
- French has a specific expression, faire l'ignorant, which means to pretend to be unaware of something to avoid responsibility, similar to the English phrase 'playing dumb'.
- In legal French, the phrase Nul n'est censé ignorer la loi means 'no one is supposed to be ignorant of the law', establishing that lacking knowledge is not a valid legal defense.
Examples in context
- Ne sois pas ignorant.Don't be ignorant.This sentence is useful for giving a command not to be ignorant.Tatoeba #8357392 by zarisi, translation #6640343 by robbieheslop
- Il prétendit être ignorant.He pretended to be ignorant.This sentence shows someone claiming to be ignorant.Tatoeba #4711239 by sacredceltic, translation #301444 by CK
- Tu es complètement ignorant.You're totally ignorant.This sentence emphasizes being totally ignorant.Tatoeba #2228852 by sacredceltic, translation #2218462 by CK
- Tu es un peu inculte sur ce sujetYou are a bit ignorant about this subject
- Elle est un peu désinformée sur le sujetShe is a bit misinformed about the topic
- T'es vraiment un neuneuYou're such an ignoramus
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a new law.
- HugoEst-ce que tu connais cette nouvelle loi ?Do you know about this new law?
- ManonNon, je suis totalement ignorant sur le sujet.No, I am totally unaware of the subject.
- HugoC'est surprenant, car elle change tout.That's surprising, because it changes everything.
- ManonExplique-moi alors, s'il te plaît.Explain it to me then, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ignorant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
