bête/bɛt/
adjective / noun · A2 · Frequency 1601
adjective
Meanings
stupid; inept
Describes lack of intelligence or judgment.
Examples
C'est bête de laisser son parapluie dans le train.
It is stupid to leave your umbrella on the train.
Son frère a fait un choix bête en refusant cette aide gratuite.
His brother made a stupid choice by refusing that free help.
Il devient bête quand il a faim et répond sèchement à tout le monde.
He gets grumpy when he is hungry and answers everyone curtly.
Collocations
- une question bêtea stupid question
Common mistakes
une bête homme
un homme bête
The adjective 'bête' usually follows the noun and must agree in gender; 'un homme bête' is correct.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
beast, animal, livestock
Refers to animals in general, including wild animals and livestock.
fool, stupid person
Informal use to describe someone as stupid or clumsy.
Examples
La bête s'est échappée de son enclos pendant la nuit.
The animal escaped from its enclosure during the night.
Le fermier nourrit la bête avant de partir au marché.
The farmer feeds the animal before leaving for the market.
Ne traite pas ta sœur de bête quand elle se trompe.
Do not call your sister a fool when she makes a mistake.
Collocations
- une bête de sommea beast of burden
Common mistakes
une bête
la bête
When referring to a specific animal, the definite article is usually used.
bête est gentil
la bête est gentille
bête is a feminine noun, so the adjective must agree in feminine form.
Related words
- synonymanimalanimal
synonymimbécileimbecile, a fool or stupid person, often used as an insult
synonymidiotidiot (noun)
antonymgéniegenius
adjective
Meanings
stupid; inept
Describes lack of intelligence or judgment.
Examples
Ces élèves sont bêtes de laisser leurs devoirs à la maison.
These students are stupid to leave their homework at home.
Ils ont été bêtes de croire cette fausse annonce.
They were stupid to believe that fake advertisement.
Ne soyez pas bêtes, vérifiez les chiffres avant de signer.
Don't be stupid; check the figures before signing.
Les collègues sont bêtes ce matin et répondent sèchement à tout le monde.
The colleagues are grumpy this morning and answer everyone curtly.
Collocations
- une question bêtea stupid question
Common mistakes
une bête homme
un homme bête
The adjective 'bête' usually follows the noun and must agree in gender; 'un homme bête' is correct.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
beast, animal, livestock
Refers to animals in general, including wild animals and livestock.
fool, stupid person
Informal use to describe someone as stupid or clumsy.
Examples
Les bêtes se sont réfugiées dans l'étable avant l'orage.
The livestock took shelter in the barn before the storm.
Les enfants observaient les bêtes sauvages depuis la voiture.
The children watched the wild animals from the car.
Ces bêtes ont encore laissé la porte ouverte.
Those fools left the door open again.