intrus
/ɛ̃.tʁy/
The English phrase "intruders" is translated into French as intrus.
intrus refers to people who enter a place without permission. In a more colloquial context, you might hear the term Les squatteurs used to refer to unwelcome guests or intruders who occupy a space without permission.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ɛ̃.tʁy/.
Did you know?
- In French education, l'intrus is the name of a common logic puzzle where students must identify the one word or image in a list that does not belong with the others.
- The term intrus can be used as a social metaphor for someone who feels out of place in a conversation or elite circle.
- To describe a legal trespasser, French uses the phrase violateur de domicile, which frames the intrusion as a violation of the home's sanctity.
Examples in context
- Il chassait les intrus.He drove off the intruders.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use intrus in a sentence about driving people away.Tatoeba #2903077 by Amastan, translation #10105533 by JumJum
- Les intrus ont été arrêtés par la police.The intruders were arrested by the police.
- Les envahisseurs ont violé la frontière sans autorisation.The intruders violated the border without authorization.
- Les squatteurs ont été expulsés de l'appartement.The intruders were evicted from the apartment.
- Les intrus ont sauté la clôture.The intruders jumped over the fence.
- L'alarme a détecté des intrus.The alarm detected intruders.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing their new home security system.
- HugoL'alarme a sonné à cause d'intrus.The alarm went off because of intruders.
- LéaTu es sûr qu'il y avait des intrus ?Are you sure there were intruders?
- HugoOui, j'ai vu des gens sur la caméra.Yes, I saw people on the camera.
- LéaNous devrions appeler la police tout de suite.We should call the police right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry intrus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
