inapproprié
/i.na.pʁɔ.pʁi.je/
The English word 'inappropriate' can be translated into French as inapproprié. If unsure, use inapproprié. Wiktionary also lists déplacé.
Meaning: not appropriate or suitable (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| inapproprié | /i.na.pʁɔ.pʁi.je/ |
| déplacé | /de.pla.se/ |
The term is used to describe something that is not appropriate or suitable.
Which one should you use?
While inapproprié refers to something that is simply not suitable or fitting for a purpose, déplacé is used specifically to describe behavior or remarks that are socially offensive, tactless or out of line.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inapproprié must agree in gender with the noun it modifies: use inappropriée for feminine nouns, inappropriés for masculine plural nouns and inappropriées for feminine plural nouns. Similarly, the form déplacé becomes déplacée when modifying a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of inapproprié is /i.na.pʁɔ.pʁi.je/. It has 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- French has a specific term hors de propos to describe a remark that is inappropriate because it is irrelevant to the current topic. It literally means 'outside of the purpose'.
- In a professional setting, a French speaker might describe an inappropriate action as peu convenable. This is a polite understatement that avoids the harsher tone of déplacé.
- The word déplacé literally translates to 'displaced' or 'moved from its place'.
Examples in context
- Je ne vois rien d'inapproprié à cela.I don't see anything inappropriate in that.This sentence shows how to express that nothing is inappropriate in a certain situation using inapproprié.Tatoeba #8300652 by TRANG, translation #3491283 by AlanF_US
- Je pense que tu sais que c'est déplacé.I think you know that's inappropriate.This sentence uses déplacé to describe behavior that is known to be inappropriate.Tatoeba #2411283 by sacredceltic, translation #2408595 by CK
- Votre fille porte une tenue inappropriée.Your daughter is wearing an inappropriate outfit.This sentence uses inapproprié to describe an outfit.Tatoeba #11148324 by lbdx, translation #10183573 by Lyte3000
- Ce comportement est déplacéThis behavior is inappropriate
- Cette tenue est inadéquateThat outfit is inappropriate
- Son commentaire était vraiment pas coolHis comment was really inappropriate
- Ta blague est complètement hors de proposYour joke is totally inappropriate
- C'est déplacé ce qu'il a faitWhat he did was inappropriate
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a comment made at a party.
- ManonSon commentaire était vraiment inapproprié.His comment was really inappropriate.
- LucasJe suis d'accord, c'était très gênant.I agree, it was very awkward.
- ManonIl ne devrait pas dire ça à une femme.He shouldn't say that to a woman.
- LucasTu as raison, son attitude était inacceptable.You are right, his attitude was unacceptable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inappropriate” translations and entries inapproprié, déplacé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
