rugueux
/ʁy.ɡø/
In French, the English phrase "rough" can be translated as rugueux or rude.
Meaning: not smooth (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| rugueux | /ʁy.ɡø/ |
| rude | /ʁyd/ |
The primary meaning of these words is "not smooth." Use rugueux when referring to a physical texture that is not smooth.
Which one should you use?
Use rugueux specifically for physical surfaces that are not smooth.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of France, the term rustaud(e) is used to describe someone as being rough or uncouth.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rugueux changes to rugueuse in the feminine form. The adjective rude becomes rudes in the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁy.ɡø/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'rough' for a rough draft of a document, French uses the word brouillon, which comes from the verb 'to stir up' or 'to muddle'.
- In French, a 'rough' estimate is called an estimation approximative or sommaire, as rude or rugueux cannot be used for numbers.
- While 'rugueux' describes a physical texture like sandpaper, the word rude is often used to describe weather, such as a 'rude vent' or a 'rude froid', meaning a harsh or biting cold.
Examples in context
- Il est un peu rugueux.He's a bit rough around the edges.This sentence uses rugueux to describe someone being a bit rough around the edges.Tatoeba #1935660 by sacredceltic, translation #1935347 by Spamster
- La journée a été rude.It's been a rough day.This sentence uses rude to describe a difficult day.Tatoeba #5295138 by Blabla, translation #6841574 by CK
- Il a de rudes manières.He has rough manners.This sentence uses rude to describe someone's manners.Tatoeba #133401 by Julien_PDC, translation #303983 by CM
- Les routes de montagne sont souvent accidentées en hiver.Mountain roads are often rough in winter.
- J'ai parcouru les routes cahin-caha en vélo.I cycled on rough roads.
- Il est très rustaud, toujours en train de dire des grossièretés.He's very rough, always saying crude things.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are examining a piece of wood in a workshop.
- NathanCe bois est très rugueux.This wood is very rough.
- LéaOui, il faut le poncer.Yes, it needs to be sanded.
- NathanEst-ce que la surface est rugueuse ici ?Is the surface rough here?
- LéaPas vraiment, elle est presque lisse.Not really, it is almost smooth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rough” translations and entries rugueux, rude, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
