idiot
/i.djo/
The French phrase for "stupid person" is idiot.
The term refers to a person who lacks intelligence or common sense. Other ways to refer to a stupid person include the informal Crétin(e), the derogatory and informal Abruti(e) and the colloquial Con(ne), which is often translated as "jerk" or "ass".
Which one should you use?
While idiot is a common way to describe someone, the word imbécile is often used specifically to describe someone who lacks judgment or common sense rather than just raw intelligence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Crétin(e) and Abruti(e) are informal, while Con(ne) is a common colloquialism.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word takes a feminine form idiote when referring to a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /i.djo/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word idiot stems from the Greek word for a 'private person'. In ancient times, it did not mean someone lacking intelligence, but simply a person who was not involved in public or political life.
- The word crétin has a strange medical history. It was once a formal medical term used to describe a specific type of thyroid deficiency, which is why it carries such a harsh, clinical weight in French.
- French speakers sometimes use the expression avoir un grain to describe a stupid or eccentric person, which literally translates to 'having a grain' or a seed in the head.
Examples in context
- Il a agi comme un idiot.He acted like an idiot.
- Ne sois pas un idiot.Don't be an idiot.
- C'est un idiot complet.He is a complete idiot.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are talking about a rude person at a party.
- ChloéCe garçon était vraiment un idiot.That boy was really an idiot.
- LucasOui, il est très idiot.Yes, he is very stupid.
- ChloéIl a gâché toute la soirée.He ruined the whole evening.
- LucasLaisse-le, il n'en vaut pas la peine.Forget him, he is not worth it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry idiot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idiot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
