Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| moche | /mɔʃ/ |
| laid | /lɛ/ |
| vilain | /vi.lɛ̃/ /vi.lɛn‿/ |
These terms are used to describe someone or something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing.
Which one should you use?
The forms in this pack vary by their level of formality and application. moche is an informal equivalent of "ugly" that can be applied to both people and objects. laid is more standard and can be used in more formal or literary contexts than moche. The term vilain can also be used to mean ugly. If you wish to express something much stronger, such as being repulsive or disgusting, you might use the formal adjective repoussant(e) or the colloquial term dégueu, which is short for dégueulasse.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
moche is a colloquial and very common way to say ugly in everyday spoken French. For a more extreme and formal sense of being unattractive or disgusting, use repoussant(e). In very casual speech, you might use the colloquial dégueu to mean "disgusting".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word moche is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same for both masculine and feminine subjects. For the other forms, the gender must match the subject: the feminine form of laid is laide and the feminine form of vilain is vilaine.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔʃ/
Did you know?
- The word vilain shares its history with the English word 'villain', but it originally referred to a 'farm worker' or 'peasant' rather than a criminal.
- While vilain can mean 'ugly', it is also frequently used to describe a 'naughty' child.
- The adjective repoussant is so strong that it implies a physical reaction of being pushed away by something, rather than just a lack of beauty.
Examples in context
- Je me sens laide.I feel ugly.This sentence is useful for expressing how one feels regarding their appearance using the feminine form of laid.Tatoeba #5545321 by sacredceltic, translation #4426166 by shekitten
- Me trouves-tu laid ?Do you think I'm ugly?This sentence is useful for asking someone's opinion on your appearance using the masculine form of laid.Tatoeba #3143257 by sacredceltic, translation #953230 by CK
- Je ne suis pas laid.I'm not ugly.This sentence is useful for a negation using the masculine form of laid.Tatoeba #4842594 by sacredceltic, translation #3329974 by CK
- Cette maison est laideThis house is ugly
- Il est laidHe is ugly
- Il est marqué par sa mochetéHe is marked by his ugliness
- Ce tableau est repoussantThis painting is repulsive
- Cette voiture est mocheThis car is ugly
- Tu es affreuse dans cette tenueYou look awful in that outfit
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a piece of modern art in a gallery.
- LéaRegarde cette sculpture, Lucas.Look at this sculpture, Lucas.
- LucasElle est un peu moche, non ?It is a bit ugly, isn't it?
- LéaOui, je la trouve très moche.Yes, I find it very ugly.
- LucasLéa, elle est juste étrange.Léa, it is just strange.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries moche, laid, vilain, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laid, moche, vilain, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
