strict
/stʁikt/
The English word 'strict' is translated into French as strict.
The adjective describes something that is governed or governing by exact rules.
Meaning: governed or governing by exact rules (adj)
Which one should you use?
While strict is used to describe a person or a rule, the word rigoureux is often used instead when describing a method, a process or a scientific approach.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes to match the gender and number of the noun it describes: stricte is the feminine form, stricts is the masculine plural form and strictes is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/stʁikt/
Did you know?
- The word strict shares a common root with the English word 'strait', as in a 'strait' of water, which refers to a narrow or tight passage.
- If you describe a French person as strict, it can imply a coldness or lack of flexibility that goes beyond just following rules.
- In French legal terminology, the phrase stricto sensu is frequently used to mean 'in the narrowest sense' of a word.
Examples in context
- Je suis très strict.I'm very strict.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are very strict.Tatoeba #5688367 by Aiji, translation #5294557 by CK
- Tom est très strict.Tom is very strict.This sentence is useful for describing Tom as very strict.Tatoeba #6876771 by Micsmithel, translation #2273610 by CK
- Mon père est très strict.My dad is very strict.This sentence is useful for describing a father as very strict.Tatoeba #4269292 by sacredceltic, translation #4269258 by CK
- Ma professeure de français est très rigoureuse. Elle attend que nous fassions tous nos devoirs à temps.My French teacher is very strict. She expects us to complete all our assignments on time.
- La discipline au sein de cette entreprise est très sévère. Toute forme de retard est strictement punie.The discipline within this company is very strict. Any form of lateness is strictly punished.
- Mon entraîneur est très exigeant. Il pousse tous ses joueurs à donner le meilleur d'eux-mêmes.My coach is very strict. He pushes all his players to give their best.
- Mon professeur de maths est vraiment dur. Il ne tolère aucune distraction en classe.My math teacher is really strict. He doesn't tolerate any distractions in class.
- Mon voisin est très pointilleux avec le bruit. Il se plaint souvent si nous faisons du bruit après 22 heures.My neighbor is very strict about noise. He often complains if we make noise after 10 PM.
- Ma mère est intransigeante en ce qui concerne les horaires. Si je rentre tard, elle n'est pas contente.My mother is strict when it comes to schedules. If I come home late, she is not happy.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about their new teacher.
- GabrielEst-ce que le nouveau professeur est strict ?Is the new teacher strict?
- LéaOui, il est très strict avec les retards.Yes, he is very strict about lateness.
- GabrielJe préfère quand ils sont plus souples.I prefer when they are more flexible.
- LéaMoi aussi, mais c'est son style.Me too, but that is his style.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strict” translations and entries strict, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
