camelote
The English phrase junk can be translated into French as camelote.
camelote is used to describe physical objects that are poorly made, cheap or useless. It is often used to express disdain for low-quality goods.
Meaning: miscellaneous items of little value (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
camelote is an informal or colloquial term. In formal settings, you might use Déchets to refer to general waste or trash or the phrase Objets sans valeur to describe valueless objects. For informal or casual conversation, you can also use Bric-à-brac to refer to a playful jumble of miscellaneous items or Petits trucs inutiles to describe little useless things.
Did you know?
- The word camelote originally referred to a type of coarse cloth or fabric. Over time, its meaning shifted from describing a specific material to describing anything of poor or inferior quality.
- French distinguishes between déchets for industrial or organic waste and encombrants for bulky junk, such as old mattresses or sofas, that require special pickup.
- If you are describing junk in the form of old, useless papers or documents, a French speaker might use the term bafouilles, which implies a mess of confused or poorly written writing.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce que c'est que cette camelote ?What's this junk?This sentence shows how to ask what a piece of junk is using camelote.Tatoeba #13257898 by lbdx, translation #11238075 by AlanF_US
- Quelle camelote !What a piece of junk!This sentence is used to express frustration at a piece of junk using camelote.Tatoeba #13257903 by lbdx, translation #12213461 by CK
- C'est une camelote.It's a piece of junk.This sentence is used to identify an object as a piece of junk using camelote.Tatoeba #12935496 by lbdx, translation #3724441 by CM
- Les déchets doivent être triés et recyclés correctement.The junk must be sorted and recycled properly.
- Merci de vous débarrasser de ces objets sans valeur.Please dispose of these valueless objects.
- L'usine produit des résidus nocifs pour l'environnement.The factory produces harmful waste for the environment.
- Ma chambre est pleine de bric-à-brac que je devrais trier.My room is full of junk that I should sort.
- J'ai tellement de petits trucs inutiles dans mes tiroirs.I have so many useless little things in my drawers.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are cleaning out an old garage.
- HugoIl faut jeter toute cette camelote.We need to throw away all this junk.
- EmmaTu as raison, c'est inutile.You are right, it is useless.
- HugoEst-ce qu'on garde ce carton ?Are we keeping this box?
- EmmaNon, c'est encore de la camelote.No, it is more junk.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
