étrange
/e.tʁɑ̃ʒ/
The English word strange is translated into French as étrange.
The adjective is used to describe something that is not normal.
Meaning: not normal (adj)
Which one should you use?
While étrange often implies something mysterious or uncanny, the word bizarre is frequently used to describe something weird, eccentric or nonsensical.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective étrange is invariable in gender, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /e.tʁɑ̃ʒ/.
Did you know?
- In older French, étrange was used primarily to mean 'foreign'. This is why the word étranger refers to a foreigner rather than a strange person.
- French has a specific word décalé to describe a type of strangeness that is quirky, off-beat or slightly out of step with social norms.
- The French word étrange is a distant relative of the English word 'extra'. Both come from the Latin root meaning 'outside' or 'external'.
Examples in context
- Quel type étrange !What a strange guy!This sentence is useful for describing a strange guy using étrange.Tatoeba #4626877 by sacredceltic, translation #1543540 by JimBreen
- La vie est étrange.Life is strange.This sentence is useful for stating that life is strange using étrange.Tatoeba #7074426 by Micsmithel, translation #1457791 by CM
- Quel homme étrange !What a strange man!This sentence is useful for describing a strange man using étrange.Tatoeba #1927868 by sacredceltic, translation #1913106 by CK
- Cette histoire est vraiment étrange.This story is really strange.
- Il a une façon de parler très singulière.He has a very peculiar way of speaking.
- Ce film était vraiment bizarre, je n'ai rien compris.This movie was really weird, I didn't understand anything.
- Ce type a un comportement vraiment louche.That guy has a really strange behavior.
- Cette situation est vraiment étrange.This situation is really strange.
- Ce restaurant a une décoration bizarre, mais j'aime l'originalité.This restaurant has a weird decor, but I love its uniqueness.
- Il y a quelque chose de louche dans cette affaire.There's something shady about this matter.
- 323 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a very unusual-looking plant in a garden.
- LéaCette plante est vraiment étrange.This plant is really strange.
- LucasOui, elle a une forme étrange.Yes, it has a strange shape.
- LéaL'aspect de ce jardin est étrange.The appearance of this garden is strange.
- LucasC'est un endroit un peu étrange.It is a bit of a strange place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strange” translations and entries étrange, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries étrange, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
