méchant
/me.ʃɑ̃/
The English word "meanie" can be translated into French as méchant.
méchant is used to describe an unkind or mean person.
Meaning: unkind person (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using méchant to describe someone as a "meanie" is often used in a colloquial or childish context. Additionally, the informal term Vilain(e) can be used to express someone being mean or nasty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes its ending depending on the gender and number of the people being described: méchante is used for a female person, méchants is the masculine plural form for a group of men or a mixed group and méchantes is the feminine plural form for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /me.ʃɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- While méchant usually means unkind, in certain slang contexts, it can be used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'impressive', similar to how 'wicked' is used in some English dialects.
- The word méchant is built from the prefix mé- and the verb choir, which means 'to fall'.
- While méchant translates to 'meanie', it is also the standard term used to describe the 'villain' of a movie or book.
Examples in context
- Ce garçon est vraiment méchant.That boy is really mean.
- Ne sois pas si méchant avec elle.Don't be so mean to her.
- Elle a été très méchante hier.She was very unkind yesterday.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about a classmate at school.
- LéaIl a été très méchant avec moi.He was very mean to me.
- NathanC'est un vrai méchant, ce garçon.That boy is a real meanie.
- LéaJe ne veux plus lui parler.I don't want to talk to him anymore.
- NathanTu as raison, Léa.You are right, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry méchant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries méchant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
