péché
/pe.ʃe/masculine
The English word 'sin' translates to French as péché.
The word péché refers to a misdeed.
Meaning: misdeed (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun péché (sin) is distinct from the related verb pécher (to sin).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In West African countries, péché might be replaced by faute in certain contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /pe.ʃe/.
Did you know?
- The word péché is a homophone of pêché, the past participle of the verb pêcher meaning 'to fish'. This leads to many common French puns and wordplays contrasting spiritual sins with fishing activities.
- The expression un péché mignon is used to describe a 'guilty pleasure' or a small, endearing flaw rather than an actual moral transgression.
- The word péché is inherited from the Latin peccātum, which originally meant a 'slip' or 'stumble' before it took on a heavier religious meaning.
Examples in context
- S'ennuyer est un péché.To be bored is a sin.This sentence is useful for expressing the idea that being bored is a sin.Tatoeba #4465396 by LeFaune, translation #4465044 by maaster
- J'ai confessé mon péché.I confessed my sin.This sentence is useful for describing the act of confessing a sin.Tatoeba #566183 by sacredceltic, translation #257693 by CK
- Les gages du péché sont la mort.The wages of sin are death.This sentence is useful for quoting the phrase regarding the wages of sin.Tatoeba #8487414 by Aiji, translation #2087369 by AlanF_US
- Dans la tradition catholique, le péché est considéré comme une offense à Dieu.In the Catholic tradition, sin is considered an offense to God.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing a moral dilemma.
- HugoEst-ce que mentir est un péché ?Is lying a sin?
- ChloéOui, c'est un péché grave.Yes, it is a serious sin.
- HugoJe me sens mal pour ce péché.I feel bad about this sin.
- ChloéTu dois demander pardon, Hugo.You must ask for forgiveness, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sin” translations and entries péché, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries péché, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
