Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| canaille | /ka.naj/ (France) /ka.nɑj/ (France) |
feminine |
| coquin | /kɔ.kɛ̃/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe a person who is unprincipled, deceitful, unreliable or a scoundrel. If you want to describe someone as being specifically deceitful or unprincipled, you can use the adjective sans scrupules. If you are describing something rogue in the sense of being large, destructive and unpredictable, use incontrôlable.
Which one should you use?
While both canaille and coquin can mean rogue, they carry different tones. Canaille is a more derogatory term that implies the person is a low-life or a scoundrel. In contrast, coquin can be used playfully to refer to a rascal or a mischievous person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Canaille is a more old-fashioned or literary term. Coquin is an informal word. For formal situations where you need to refer to a rogue or a swindler, the term escroc is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Canaille is a feminine noun. Coquin is a masculine noun, and its feminine form is coquine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word canaille is pronounced /ka.naj/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In modern romantic contexts, coquin or coquine is often used as a euphemism for being 'naughty' or flirtatious.
- The word canaille is actually a linguistic descendant of the Latin word for 'dogs', specifically the plural of 'canis'.
- In historical contexts, canaille was often used to refer to the 'rabble' or the lowest social classes of society, rather than just a single dishonest person.
Examples in context
- Le politicien corrompu a été démasqué comme un véritable escroc.The corrupt politician was exposed as a true rogue.
- Ce vaurien n'a pas d'éthique professionnelle.This rogue has no professional ethics.
- Ce chenapan a joué un tour à tout le monde aujourd'hui.This rogue played a trick on everyone today.
- Il se comporte comme un véritable coquin !He behaves like a true rogue!
- Cette femme est une véritable canaille.That woman is a true scoundrel.
- Ne fais pas confiance à cette canaille.Do not trust that rogue.
- Elle s'est comportée comme une petite canaille.She behaved like a little rascal.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are discussing a dishonest acquaintance.
- EmmaTu as parlé à cette canaille ?Did you speak to that scoundrel?
- NathanNon, je ne veux pas l'approcher.No, I do not want to approach her.
- EmmaElle est vraiment malhonnête.She is truly dishonest.
- NathanC'est une personne peu fiable.She is an unreliable person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rogue” translations and entries canaille, coquin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canaille, coquin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
