mensonges
The English phrase "lies" is translated into French as mensonges.
mensonges refers to false statements made with the intention to deceive. When you want to express the act of telling lies, use the phrase dire des mensonges.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this noun is mensonge.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not attempt to use a verb like mensonger to mean "to lie". While English speakers often create this word, no such verb exists in standard French.
Did you know?
- While mensonges refers to lies, the French word bobard is used for a tall tale or a plausible lie, often used in journalism to describe fake news.
- If someone is caught in a lie, a French speaker might say they are en flagrant délit de mensonge, which literally translates to being caught in the act of a lie.
- The word mensonge is closely related to the Latin mendacium, which is also the root of the English word 'mendacious'.
Examples in context
- Il ne dit pas de mensonges.He doesn't tell lies.This sentence is useful for showing how to use mensonges with the verb to tell.Tatoeba #1173832 by sacredceltic, translation #1173823 by CK
- Quels mensonges sont vrais ?What lies are truth?This sentence is useful for asking a question about which mensonges are true.Tatoeba #1911480 by sysko, translation #37545 by hamsolo474
- N'écoute pas ses mensonges !Don't listen to his lies!This sentence is useful for giving a command regarding someone's mensonges.Tatoeba #8940642 by Julien_PDC, translation #9664423 by shekitten
- Je ne tolère pas les mensonges dans cette entreprise.I do not tolerate lies in this company.
- Elle raconte souvent des mensonges pour éviter les problèmes.She often tells lies to avoid problems.
- Il m'a dit un mensonge à propos de sa présence à la fête.He told me a lie about his presence at the party.
- Ne me dis pas de mensonges, je préfère toujours la vérité.Don't tell me lies, I always prefer the truth.
- Il raconte toujours des bobards pour se faire remarquer.He always tells tall tales to get attention.
- Tu peux bien me taquiner, mais n'invente pas de bobards.You can tease me all you want, but don't make up fibs.
- Elle a été accusée de mentir sous serment.She was accused of perjury.
- Le politicien a été critiqué pour ses mensonges éhontés.The politician was criticized for his shameless lies.
- Ce n'était qu'un bobard pour me rendre jaloux.It was just a fib to make me jealous.
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing a suspicious person.
- ChloéSes mensonges me mettent mal à l'aise.His lies make me uncomfortable.
- NathanTu penses qu'il nous cache quelque chose ?Do you think he is hiding something from us?
- ChloéOui, je n'aime pas ses mensonges.Yes, I do not like his lies.
- NathanJe vais essayer de comprendre la vérité.I will try to understand the truth.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
