incivilisé
The English word uncivilized is translated into French as incivilisé.
The term is used to describe things or people that are crude, barbarous, wild or uncultured.
Meaning: crude, barbarous, wild, uncultured (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the prefix in-, which functions as a negation meaning 'un-' or 'not', much like in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The masculine singular is incivilisé. To describe a feminine noun, use the feminine form incivilisée by adding an 'e' to the end. For masculine plural nouns, use incivilisés by adding an 's'. For feminine plural nouns, use incivilisées by adding both an 'e' and an 's'.
Did you know?
- French has a specific term incivilités used by police and urban planners to categorize low-level antisocial behaviors like graffiti or littering.
- The concept of 'civility' in French is closely tied to la civilité, which historically referred to the duties of a citizen toward the state as much as personal manners.
- While incivilisé describes a lack of manners, if you want to call someone truly barbaric or primitive, French speakers often use the word sauvage.
Examples in context
- Il est incivilisé d'agir de cette manière lors d'un dîner.It is uncivilized to behave this way during a dinner.
- Ces comportements sauvages doivent être évités.These savage behaviors should be avoided.
- Ce village est encore très primitif, sans accès à l'électricité.This village is still very primitive, without access to electricity.
- Il n'a vraiment aucune éducation, il parle constamment avec la bouche pleine.He really has no manners, he constantly speaks with his mouth full.
- Son comportement était totalement incivilisé.His behavior was totally uncivilized.
- C'est un mode de vie incivilisé.It is an uncivilized way of life.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are watching someone eat with their hands in a fancy restaurant.
- NathanRegarde cet homme, c'est tellement incivilisé !Look at that man, it's so uncivilized!
- EmmaNe sois pas si sévère, Nathan.Don't be so harsh, Nathan.
- NathanMais il ne connaît aucune règle de base.But he doesn't know any basic rules.
- EmmaPeut-être qu'il a juste très faim, Emma.Maybe he is just very hungry, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uncivilized” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
