What does méchant in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word méchant in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use méchant in French.

The word méchant in French means mean, nasty to , spiteful to , unkind to, hurtful, unkind, dangerous, bad man, bad woman, bad person, nasty, bad, second rate, poor quality, sulfur, insert a wick to drain, Beware of the dog!, wicked and plain stupid, the Big Bad Wolf, big bad wolf, play the bad guy, play the villain. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word méchant

mean

adjectif (qui fait du mal) (informal)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La petite fille ne voulait plus jouer avec son petit voisin méchant. C'était méchant de parler comme ça à ton petit camarade !
It was naughty to talk to your classmate like that!

nasty to , spiteful to , unkind to

(qui fait du mal à [qqn])

Ce vieux grincheux est toujours méchant avec sa belle-fille.
That old curmudgeon is always spiteful to his daughter-in-law.

hurtful, unkind

adjectif (blessant) (remark)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Elle m'a fait une méchante réflexion. Dire à ta sœur qu'elle est moche, c'est méchant !
It's mean to tell your sister she's ugly!

dangerous

adjectif (agressif, dangereux) (dog)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il y a beaucoup de panneaux : attention chien méchant. Ne vous inquiétez pas, il grogne mais il n'est pas méchant.
Don't worry; he growls, but he doesn't bite.

bad man, bad woman, bad person

(personne méchante)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On oppose souvent les bons et les méchants dans les westerns. J'en ai marre de toujours faire la méchante pour que mes enfants m'obéissent.
The good and the bad are often pitted against each other in westerns.

nasty, bad

adjectif (fort, intense, puissant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Annie a attrapé une méchante crève, elle est restée chez elle. Elles ont eu une méchante explication cet après-midi.

second rate, poor quality

adjectif (vieilli (de mauvaise qualité)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Cet ouvrier a de méchants outils.
That workman has second rate tools.

sulfur

verbe transitif (vieilli (aseptiser un tonneau de vin) (US: winemaking)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le vigneron mèche le tonneau avant de le remplir de vin.

insert a wick to drain

verbe transitif (chirurgie : drainer) (surgery)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le médecin mèche la blessure de l'homme accidenté.

Beware of the dog!

(panneau d'avertissement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Quand j'ai vu le panneau « Attention, chien méchant ! », j'ai préféré ne pas entrer dans le jardin.

wicked and plain stupid

locution adjectivale (élémentaire)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Contrairement à ce que vous pensez, ces caméras ne sont pas là pour faire du flicage bête et méchant mais aident la police à vous protéger.

the Big Bad Wolf

nom masculin (personnage de conte) (fairy tale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

big bad wolf

nom masculin (figuré (personne faisant peur) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

play the bad guy, play the villain

verbe intransitif (prendre le rôle du vilain)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

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