true crime
The English phrase "true crime" can be said in French as true crime.
In modern French media and podcasts, the English term true crime is frequently used as a loanword to describe the specific genre of investigative non-fiction.
Meaning: nonfiction literary and film genre in which the author examines an actual crime (noun)
Did you know?
- The word crime shares an ancient root with the English word 'sieve'. It stems from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to separate' or 'to sift', much like a sieve separates grain from chaff.
- While true crime is a popular loanword for the genre, French news outlets traditionally categorize these stories as faits divers. This term literally translates to 'diverse facts' or 'miscellaneous facts'.
- In French, the word crime refers specifically to the most serious felonies. Lesser offenses are categorized as délits or contraventions, meaning a 'true crime' story must involve a severe felony to be called a crime.
Examples in context
- On peut trouver de nombreux podcasts dédiés aux crimes réels.You can find plenty of podcasts dedicated to true crime.
- J'adore les podcasts de true crime.I love true crime podcasts.
- Ce podcast de true crime est fascinant.This true crime podcast is fascinating.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite shows while sitting in a cafe.
- LéaTu regardes quoi ce soir ?What are you watching tonight?
- HugoUn nouveau récit de true crime.A new true crime story.
- LéaC'est un genre que tu aimes beaucoup, non ?It's a genre you like a lot, right?
- HugoOui, je suis passionné par le true crime.Yes, I am passionate about true crime.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crime, CC BY-SA 4.0.
