mince
/mɛ̃s/
The English word "thin" is translated into French as mince.
mince is used to describe something having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite. When describing a person's build, it is often used as a polite way to say "slim".
Meaning: having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mince is a neutral or positive way to describe someone as slim, you should use maigre if you want to imply that someone is unhealthily thin or scrawny. For a more specific description of a slender and graceful physique, the formal term svelte is used, whereas décharné describes someone who is excessively thin and has a gaunt appearance.
How does it change in a sentence?
mince is the masculine singular form. The masculine plural form is minces.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛ̃s/
Did you know?
- In French, mince is used as a mild exclamation similar to 'darn' or 'shoot'. It is a 'minced oath' used to avoid saying the vulgar word merde.
- The English culinary term 'mince' as in 'minced meat' comes from the French word mince. It describes the process of cutting food into very small or thin pieces.
- The term décharné for someone excessively thin literally translates to 'de-fleshed'. It evokes the image of someone who has lost all their muscle and fat.
Examples in context
- Tu n'es pas mince.You are not thin.This sentence is useful for practicing the negation of mince.Tatoeba #11391681 by Rovo, translation #7327833 by MarijnKp
- Il est grand et mince.He's tall and thin.This sentence is useful for describing someone using two adjectives.Tatoeba #133118 by Aiji, translation #2949922 by Hybrid
- Il était atrocement mince.He was painfully thin.This sentence is useful for describing an extreme state of being thin.Tatoeba #859066 by U2FS, translation #301673 by CM
- Elle est mince comme une liane.She is thin as a vine.
- Le papier est mince.The paper is thin.
- Cette ballerine est très svelte.This ballerina is very thin.
- Il possède une silhouette svelte.He has a slender figure.
- Mon frère est assez maigre.My brother is quite thin.
- Elle a toujours été maigre.She has always been thin.
- Le modèle a une silhouette filiforme.The model has a thin, elongated figure.
- Les branches de cet arbre sont filiformes.The branches of this tree are thin.
- Elle a toujours été un peu fluette.She has always been a bit thin.
- Il est devenu décharné après sa maladie.He became very thin after his illness.
- Ces animaux semblent décharnés.These animals seem emaciated.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are looking at a new smartphone.
- ChloéRegarde comme ce téléphone est mince !Look how thin this phone is!
- NathanOui, il est vraiment très mince.Yes, it is really very thin.
- ChloéNathan, il a l'air très élégant.Nathan, it looks very elegant.
- NathanC'est vrai, il est très fin.It's true, it is very slim.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thin” translations and entries mince, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mince, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
