Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maigre | /mɛɡʁ/ | feminine, masculine |
| maigrichon | /mɛ.ɡʁi.ʃɔ̃/ /me.ɡʁi.ʃɔ̃/ |
|
| maigrelet | /mɛ.ɡʁə.lɛ/ /me.ɡʁə.lɛ/ |
The term maigre is used to describe someone who is thin. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that a person is underweight or emaciated, much like the English words 'skinny' or 'scrawny'. For a more positive description of a slender and attractive figure, you would use mince, while svelte emphasizes an elegant and slim figure. In formal contexts, the word cadavérique can be used to mean 'gaunt'.
Which one should you use?
maigrichon is a diminutive form used to mean 'skinny' or 'scrawny'. In contrast to the negative tone of maigre, the word mince is used to describe someone who is 'slim' in a positive or attractive way.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form maigrichon is an informal and colloquial way to say skinny, often used in a slightly mocking or patronizing tone. For a formal way to describe a gaunt appearance, use cadavérique.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word maigre can be used as an adjective or as a noun to mean 'a skinny person'. The spelling of the adjective remains maigre for both masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛɡʁ/
Did you know?
- During Lent, the Catholic tradition of le carême maigre refers to a 'lean fast' where people avoid meat and rich foods.
- The word maigre can describe a 'thin' sound or a 'thin' voice, meaning it lacks resonance or power.
- The word maigre is a cognate of the English word 'meager', both descending from the same Latin root meaning 'lean'.
Examples in context
- Tu es trop maigre.You're too skinny.This sentence shows how to express that someone is too skinny using maigre.Tatoeba #2228870 by sacredceltic, translation #2218456 by CK
- Mon fils est trop maigre.My son is too skinny.This sentence uses maigre to describe a son who is too skinny.Tatoeba #7811570 by Aiji, translation #5446849 by AlanF_US
- Je ne suis pas maigrichon.I'm not skinny.This sentence uses the informal form maigrichon to deny being skinny.Tatoeba #4842604 by sacredceltic, translation #3330183 by CK
- Il est maigreHe is skinny.
- Ce chat est maigrichonThis cat is skinny.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are talking about a friend's health.
- ManonEst-ce que Paul est malade ?Is Paul sick?
- LucasJe ne sais pas, mais il est très maigre.I don't know, but he is very skinny.
- ManonC'est vrai, il est vraiment maigre.It's true, he is really skinny.
- LucasIl doit manger plus.He must eat more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skinny” translations and entries maigre, maigrichon, maigrelet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maigre, maigrelet, maigrichon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
