inconnu
/ɛ̃.kɔ.ny/masculine
The English phrase 'stranger' is translated into French as inconnu. Wiktionary also lists inconnue.
Meaning: person whom one does not know (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| inconnu | /ɛ̃.kɔ.ny/ | masculine |
| inconnue | /ɛ̃.kɔ.ny/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe a person whom one does not know. To emphasize that someone is a complete stranger or a total unknown, you can use the phrase un parfait inconnu.
What does it mean word for word?
The word inconnu is the masculine form of the adjective 'inconnu' used as a noun, and it literally means 'an unknown person'.
Which one should you use?
While inconnu refers to any person you do not know, the terms étranger and étrangère are primarily used to refer to foreigners from another country rather than simply unknown individuals.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the masculine form inconnu when referring to a male stranger, and the feminine form inconnue when referring to a female stranger.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃.kɔ.ny/
Did you know?
- In mathematics, the term inconnue is used to refer to the 'unknown' or the variable that needs to be solved for in an equation.
- The word inconnu is derived from the Latin incognitus, which shares the same root as the English word 'incognito'.
- To describe a 'strange' person in terms of their odd behavior, French uses bizarre or étrange instead of inconnu, because inconnu only refers to a lack of acquaintance.
Examples in context
- Le chien a sauté sur un inconnu.The dog leaped at a stranger.This sentence shows how to use inconnu to describe a person a dog might approach.Tatoeba #12941290 by lbdx, translation #48255 by CK
- Ce n'est pas un inconnu pour moi.He is no stranger to me.This sentence uses inconnu to express that someone is not a stranger to a person.Tatoeba #131939 by Micsmithel, translation #295809 by CK
- Tom est un parfait inconnu pour moi.Tom is a perfect stranger to me.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase un parfait inconnu to describe a total stranger.Tatoeba #3718819 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #2820992 by sharptoothed
- J'ai parlé à un inconnu dans le hall de l'hôtel.I spoke to a stranger in the hotel lobby.
- Veuillez vous méfier des personnes inconnues qui vous approchent dans la rue.Please be cautious of strangers who approach you on the street.
- J'ai rencontré plein d'inconnus sympas lors de la soirée.I met many nice strangers at the party.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are talking about a man they saw at the park.
- ChloéQui est cet homme avec toi ?Who is that man with you?
- LucasC'est un inconnu, je ne le connais pas.He is a stranger, I don't know him.
- ChloéPourquoi est-ce qu'il te parle ?Why is he talking to you?
- LucasIl a juste demandé son chemin.He just asked for directions.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stranger” translations and entries inconnu, inconnue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inconnu, inconnue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
