suspect
/sys.pɛ/
The English phrase 'suspicious' can be translated into French using suspect.
The adjective is used to describe a person, thing or situation that arousing suspicion.
Meaning: arousing suspicion (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use suspect to describe something that seems shady or untrustworthy, whereas suspicieux describes a person who is prone to being suspicious of others.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use the feminine form suspecte when describing a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/sys.pɛ/ (2 syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word suspicieux, which actually means 'distrustful' or 'full of suspicion' (describing a person's character), rather than 'arousing suspicion' (describing a situation or person's behavior).
Did you know?
- The word suspicieux is rarely used in modern spoken French. Most native speakers would instead use the phrase méfiant to describe someone who is 'suspicious' or distrustful of others.
- French has a distinct linguistic split between the object being suspected suspect and the feeling of suspicion suspicieux. English uses 'suspicious' for both scenarios.
- While suspect is an adjective, it is also a noun in French. A suspect is the legal term for a 'suspect' in a criminal investigation.
Examples in context
- Il a l'air suspect.He looks suspicious.This sentence is useful for describing how someone looks.Tatoeba #1015367 by sacredceltic, translation #72055 by CK
- Ça m'a l'air suspect.That seems suspicious to me.This sentence is useful for expressing that something seems suspicious to you.Tatoeba #7744954 by lbdx, translation #2686458 by AlanF_US
- Je trouve ça suspect.I find that suspicious.This sentence is useful for stating that you find something suspicious.Tatoeba #9932788 by codl, translation #5175117 by CK
- Je trouve cela suspect.I find it suspicious.
- Cette situation est suspecte.This situation is suspicious.
- Cet individu a un comportement douteux.This individual has suspicious behavior.
- Il y a quelque chose d'équivoque dans ses actions.There is something suspicious about his actions.
- Ce type a un air louche.That guy looks suspicious.
- Cette affaire n'est pas nette.This matter is suspicious.
- Il n'est pas très net avec moi.He's not being very upfront with me.
- C'est vraiment bizarre, cette histoire.This story is really suspicious.
- Ils ont un comportement bizarre depuis quelque temps.They've been acting suspiciously lately.
- Cette personne a l'air de mauvais genre.That person looks suspicious.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are walking in the street and see a person lurking near their car.
- LéaCet homme me semble suspect.That man seems suspicious to me.
- NathanTu as raison, il est suspect.You're right, he is suspicious.
- LéaRegarde comme il agit de manière suspecte.Look at how he is acting suspiciously.
- NathanAppelons la police, c'est trop suspect.Let's call the police, it's too suspicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suspicious” translations and entries suspect, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
