Which one should you use?
The term laide is more descriptive and formal than the colloquial term moche. In contrast, the word moche is a more colloquial way to say "ugly" than laide.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To express this idea formally, you can use the phrase peu séduisante, which translates to "unattractive". For informal situations, the word moche is a common, more colloquial way to say "ugly" than laide.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on the article used: une femme laide means "an ugly woman" and la femme laide means "the ugly woman". To express the plural "ugly women", both the noun femme and the adjective laide must take the plural endings s, resulting in des femmes laides. While laide usually follows the noun, in literary or poetic contexts, the adjective can sometimes be placed before the noun, such as in une laide femme.
Did you know?
- The word femme is derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'the one nursing or breastfeeding'.
- The term laide is far more biting than its English counterpart, often carrying a sense of being 'hideous' or 'repulsive' rather than just 'unattractive'.
- In certain historical French dialects like Norman and Picard, the word for woman is pronounced as 'fame' or 'fanme' rather than the modern 'femme'.
Examples in context
- On se fatigue d'une belle femme après trois jours. On s'habitue à une femme laide au bout de trois jours.You get tired of a beautiful woman after three days. You get used to an ugly woman after three days.This sentence uses femme laide to illustrate a comparison between getting tired of a beautiful woman and getting used to an ugly woman.Tatoeba #1064569 by sacredceltic, translation #1064366 by CK
- Elle est considérée comme une femme laide.She is considered to be an ugly woman.
- Elle est souvent qualifiée de femme moche.She is often described as an ugly woman.
- C'est une femme laide sur cette photo.She is an ugly woman in this photo.
- Elle a été décrite comme une femme laide.She was described as an ugly woman.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing a character in a movie.
- HugoPourquoi le rôle est-il donné à une femme laide ?Why is the role given to an ugly woman?
- LéaParce que le personnage doit faire peur.Because the character is supposed to be scary.
- HugoC'est vrai, cela rend la scène plus réaliste.That's true, it makes the scene more realistic.
- LéaExactement, Léa pense que c'est un bon choix.Exactly, Léa thinks it is a good choice.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries femme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
