How to Say “You’re Ugly” in French

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tu es moche
The English phrase "you're ugly" is translated into French as tu es moche.
These phrases are used to tell someone that they are not physically attractive. Depending on the context, you might use the colloquial moche, the more literary laid(e) or even more aggressive expressions such as T'as une sale gueule to say someone has an ugly face.

Which one should you use?

The word moche is more colloquial and less intense than the more formal or literary word laid. While tu es moche is a standard way to express this, you may encounter the contraction T'es moche in casual speech, where T'es serves as an informal contraction of tu es.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

To express this idea formally to one person, you can use vous êtes moche or the Vous ne correspondez pas aux canons de la beauté (You don't fit the standards of beauty). Alternatively, Tu n'as pas un physique avantageux is a way to say someone lacks an advantageous physical appearance. In contrast, T'es moche and the slang expression T'es moche comme un pou (You're as ugly as a louse) are informal or slang-heavy. The phrase T'as une sale gueule is also informal and uses the colloquial term gueule for face.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Québec French, T'es laid(e) is an informal way to say "You're ugly".

How does it change in a sentence?

The adjective moche does not change its spelling based on the gender of the person being addressed.

Did you know?

  • The word moche is actually a linguistic descendant of the word for 'to mock'.
  • The word gueule in the phrase T'as une sale gueule is normally reserved for the mouths of animals like dogs or wolves.
  • While English speakers often use 'ugly' to mean 'unpleasant' or 'bad', in French, using moche can sometimes describe a situation or an object that is simply 'bad' or 'poor quality' rather than aesthetically unattractive.

Examples in context

  • Je pense que tu es moche.
    I think that you're ugly.
    This sentence is useful for expressing a personal opinion using tu es moche.
    Tatoeba #8285907 by Aiji, translation #7110581 by CM
  • Tu es moche sur cette photo.
    You are ugly in this photo.
  • Je ne veux pas sortir avec toi, tu es moche.
    I don't want to go out with you, you're ugly.

Example conversation

Two siblings are arguing in their bedroom.

  1. Gabriel

    Tais-toi, tu es moche !
    Shut up, you're ugly!
  2. Léa

    C'est pas vrai, Gabriel !
    That's not true, Gabriel!
  3. Gabriel

    Si, tu es vraiment moche.
    Yes, you really are ugly.
  4. Léa

    Tu es juste méchant.
    You are just mean.

Sources

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Gracie Pearl
Gracie PearlHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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