faute/fot/
noun · A2 · Frequency 547
nounfeminine
Meanings
error, fault, sin
Refers to mistakes or faults in actions or judgments, and can also mean moral wrongdoing.
foul, infraction of the rules
An action that violates rules in sports or games.
defect, flaw, shortcoming
Refers to a shortcoming or defect in a thing or person.
Examples
Une faute de calcul a retardé le lancement du projet.
A calculation error delayed the launch of the project.
L'arbitre a sifflé une faute après le contact entre les deux joueurs.
The referee called a foul after the contact between the two players.
Le prototype présente une faute de fabrication invisible à l'œil nu.
The prototype has a manufacturing defect that is invisible to the naked eye.
Collocations
- reconnaître sa fauteto admit one's mistake
- siffler une fauteto call a foul
Common mistakes
À faute de temps, nous avons annulé la réunion.
Faute de temps, nous avons annulé la réunion.
When faute means “for lack of,” it is used directly before de; à faute de is not standard French.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
error, fault, sin
Refers to mistakes or faults in actions or judgments, and can also mean moral wrongdoing.
foul, infraction of the rules
An action that violates rules in sports or games.
defect, flaw, shortcoming
Refers to a shortcoming or defect in a thing or person.
Examples
Le professeur a demandé aux élèves de corriger leurs fautes avant de rendre leur devoir.
The teacher asked the students to correct their mistakes before handing in their assignment.
L'arbitre a sanctionné les fautes commises pendant la seconde mi-temps.
The referee penalized the fouls committed during the second half.
Les fautes de conception ont rendu la machine dangereuse.
The design flaws made the machine dangerous.