plus intelligent
The English phrase 'smarter' is translated into French as plus intelligent.
This phrase is used to describe someone or something having a higher level of intelligence or mental ability than another.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which creates the comparative by adding the suffix '-er' to the end of the word, French forms this comparison by placing the adverb plus (more) before the adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. Use plus intelligente for a female subject, plus intelligentes for a feminine plural subject and plus intelligents for a masculine plural subject. To complete the comparison 'smarter than…', you must include the word que after the adjective.
Did you know?
- In a more casual or sophisticated context, French speakers might use the adjective fin to mean 'smarter'. Literally, this word translates to 'fine' or 'thin'.
- While plus intelligent refers to intellectual capacity, French uses the word malin for someone who is 'street smart'. A person can be intelligent but not malin if they lack practical wit.
- The word intelligent comes from the Latin roots meaning to 'choose between' or 'pick out', suggesting that being 'smarter' is essentially the ability to discern and select the best option.
Examples in context
- Tom est plus intelligent.Tom is smarter.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is smarter using plus intelligent.Tatoeba #9391729 by Micsmithel, translation #2236855 by CK
- Tu es plus intelligent que moi.You're smarter than me.This sentence is useful for comparing yourself to someone else using plus intelligent.Tatoeba #2041116 by sacredceltic, translation #1895574 by CK
- Tu es plus intelligent que lui.You're smarter than him.This sentence is useful for comparing him to someone else using plus intelligent.Tatoeba #8643825 by Julien_PDC, translation #3907736 by CH
- Il est plus intelligent que ses camaradesHe is smarter than his classmates
- Le conférencier était plus instruit que tous les autresThe speaker was smarter than everyone else
- Elle est plus cultivée que la plupart des gens que je connaisShe is smarter than most people I know
- Mon frère est plus malin que moi pour résoudre les énigmesMy brother is smarter than me when it comes to solving puzzles
- Les enfants sont souvent plus futés qu'on ne le penseChildren are often smarter than we think
- Il est plus astucieux qu'il n'y paraîtHe is smarter than he seems
- Il est plus au fait des dernières technologies qu'on ne le pensaitHe is smarter about the latest technologies than we thought
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing a difficult puzzle.
- ChloéCe puzzle est difficile, Nathan.This puzzle is difficult, Nathan.
- NathanJe pense que je suis plus intelligent que toi.I think I am smarter than you.
- ChloéC'est ça, on verra bien !Sure, we'll see!
- NathanRegarde, j'ai trouvé la solution !Look, I found the solution!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intelligent, plus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
