effronté
/e.fʁɔ̃.te/
The English phrase 'sassy' can be translated into French as effronté. If unsure, use effronté. Wiktionary also lists impudent.
Meaning: bold and spirited, cheeky, impudent, saucy (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| effronté | /e.fʁɔ̃.te/ |
| impudent | /ɛ̃.py.dɑ̃/ |
The terms used for 'sassy' describe someone who is bold, spirited, cheeky, impudent or saucy. However, be aware that while 'sassy' can sometimes be used as a compliment in English, the French word effronté almost always carries a negative connotation of being disrespectful or insolent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of the person being described: effronté is the masculine singular, effrontée is the feminine singular, effrontés is the masculine plural and effrontées is the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /e.fʁɔ̃.te/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word effronté literally translates to 'having no forehead'. It comes from the idea that someone who is sassy lacks the 'forehead' of shame or modesty.
- Because effronté is so strongly negative, French speakers looking for a positive 'sassy' equivalent often use pétillant (sparkling) or pleine de caractère (full of character).
- While 'sassy' in English can describe a look or a style, using effronté to describe an object or a piece of clothing would sound very strange in French.
Examples in context
- Ne soyez pas effrontée avec moi, jeune fille !Don't get sassy with me young lady!This sentence is useful for seeing how to address someone who is being sassy using the form effronté.Tatoeba #817861 by sacredceltic, translation #601987 by darinmex
- Le jeune homme était audacieux dans ses réponsesThe young man was sassy with his answers
- Ses répliques audacieuses le caractérisent comme quelqu'un de vraiment impertinentHis sassy comebacks define him as someone truly impertinent
- Elle parle franchement et a toujours des remarques cinglantesShe speaks frankly and always has sassy remarks
- Ce garçon est vraiment effronté avec ses blagues sarcastiquesThis boy is really sassy with his sarcastic jokes
- Il a un ton effronté.He has a sassy tone.
- Elle est parfois un peu effrontée.She is sometimes a bit sassy.
Example conversation
Hugo is commenting on Chloé's clever but bold reply.
- HugoTu es vraiment effrontée, Chloé !You are really sassy, Chloé!
- ChloéJe dis juste la vérité, Hugo.I'm just telling the truth, Hugo.
- HugoTa réponse était très audacieuse.Your answer was very bold.
- ChloéC'est mon côté spontané.That's my spontaneous side.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sassy” translations and entries effronté, impudent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries effronté, impudent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
