timide
/ti.mid/
The English phrase "timid" is translated into French as timide.
The adjective is used to describe someone who is lacking in courage or confidence.
Meaning: lacking in courage or confidence (adj)
Which one should you use?
While timide refers to a lack of confidence or shyness, the word effacé is used to describe someone who is more unobtrusive or deliberately keeps a low profile.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective timide is invariable in gender, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine subjects. To make the adjective plural, add an 's' to the end: timides.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ti.mid/.
Did you know?
- To describe someone who has overcome their timidité, the French often use the expression sortir de sa coquille, which literally means 'to come out of one's shell'.
- In French, the word timide can be used as a noun, un timide or une timide, to describe a person who is shy rather than just using it as an adjective.
- While 'timid' in English often carries a slightly negative weight of weakness, calling a child timide in French is often seen as a neutral or even endearing personality trait.
Examples in context
- Tu es très timide.You're very timid.Tatoeba #2226727 by sacredceltic, translation #2218502 by CK
- Il est très timide.He's very timid.Tatoeba #1447279 by martin9, translation #612896 by CK
- Je suis très timide.I'm quite timid.Tatoeba #2312396 by sacredceltic, translation #5853024 by CK
- Il est souvent réservé en sociétéHe is often reserved in social situations
- Il est délicat et ne se met pas souvent en avantHe is timid and doesn't often put himself forward
- Elle est toujours un peu timorée lorsqu'elle rencontre de nouvelles personnesShe is always a bit shy when meeting new people
- Mon frère est assez peureux, surtout en présence d'animauxMy brother is quite timid, especially around animals
- Nous devons l'encourager, car il est timide comme une sourisWe need to encourage him since he is timid as a mouse
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are talking about a new colleague at work.
- ManonEst-ce qu'il est timide ?Is he timid?
- HugoOui, il est un peu timide avec les gens.Yes, he is a bit timid with people.
- ManonJe le trouve plutôt calme.I find him rather calm.
- HugoC'est juste qu'il est timide au début.It's just that he is timid at first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “timid” translations and entries timide, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
