menace
/mə.nas/feminine
The French word for menace is menace.
The noun menace refers to a perceived threat or danger. You can also use the related verb menacer, which means to threaten.
Meaning: perceived threat or danger (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun menace is feminine. Because of this, you must use feminine articles and adjectives when using it, such as une menace or la menace.
How do you pronounce it?
/mə.nas/
Did you know?
- Unlike the English word 'menace', which can describe a mischievous child (a 'little menace'), the French menace is almost always serious and grave.
- The verb menacer can be used for weather, such as when the sky looks like it is about to rain, which is described as le ciel menace.
- The French word menace shares a common ancestor with the English word 'minace', though the latter is now considered obsolete in English. They both trace back to the Latin 'minācia', which originally referred to 'threats' or 'insinuations'.
Examples in context
- Tu es une menace.You're a menace.Tatoeba #6461224 by Aiji, translation #2218031 by CK
- Ces gens nous voient comme une menace.These people see us as a menace.Tatoeba #8427038 by Aiji, translation #7771671 by AlanF_US
- Les feux de brousse sont une menace perpétuelle en Australie.Bushfires are a perennial menace in Australia.Tatoeba #10748608 by lbdx, translation #9732182 by Hybrid
- La menace est réelle.The menace is real.
- Nous sommes confrontés à une menace sérieuse.We are facing a serious menace.
- Les autorités prennent des mesures pour contrer la menace.Authorities are taking steps to counter the menace.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing a security risk at work.
- GabrielEst-ce que ce logiciel est une menace ?Is this software a threat?
- ChloéOui, c'est une menace pour nos données.Yes, it is a threat to our data.
- GabrielOn doit agir vite alors.We must act quickly then.
- ChloéJe vais prévenir le directeur, Gabriel.I will notify the director, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “menace” translations and entries menace, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries menace, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
