French dictionary

méchant/me.ʃɑ̃/

adjective / noun · A2 · Frequency 1333

adjectivemasculine

bad, mediocre
Used to describe poor quality or performance of things.
mean, unkind
Used to describe a person's unfriendly or hurtful character or behavior.
naughty, mischievous
Commonly used to describe playful or mischievous behavior of children or pets.

Le projet a pris un méchant retard à cause d'un problème technique.
The project suffered a serious delay because of a technical problem.
La réparation a causé un méchant dégât au mur du salon.
The repair caused serious damage to the living-room wall.
Mon collègue est méchant avec les nouveaux employés.
My colleague is mean to new employees.

un méchant homme
un homme méchant
The adjective ‘méchant’ usually follows the noun; learners often place it before incorrectly.
un méchant enfant
un enfant méchant
When describing a naughty child, ‘méchant’ should follow the noun to avoid ambiguity.

bad person, villain
Used as a noun to refer to a person with a bad or cruel character, commonly in spoken language.

Ce méchant a humilié son collègue devant toute l'équipe.
This jerk humiliated his colleague in front of the whole team.
Personne ne voulait travailler avec un méchant pareil.
No one wanted to work with such a cruel person.
Dans ce film, le méchant menace de détruire la ville.
In this film, the villain threatens to destroy the city.

Le méchand de l’histoire est finalement arrêté.
Le méchant de l’histoire est finalement arrêté.
The spelling of méchant ends in -chant, not *-chand; *méchand is not a valid French word.

bad, mediocre
Used to describe poor quality or performance of things.
mean, unkind
Used to describe a person's unfriendly or hurtful character or behavior.
naughty, mischievous
Commonly used to describe playful or mischievous behavior of children or pets.

Une méchante grippe l'a clouée au lit pendant plusieurs jours.
A bad bout of flu kept her in bed for several days.
Cette méchante panne a interrompu toute la production de l'usine.
This bad breakdown halted all production at the factory.
La nouvelle élève n'est pas méchante, mais elle reste très réservée.
The new student is not mean, but she remains very reserved.

un méchant homme
un homme méchant
The adjective ‘méchant’ usually follows the noun; learners often place it before incorrectly.
un méchant enfant
un enfant méchant
When describing a naughty child, ‘méchant’ should follow the noun to avoid ambiguity.

bad, mediocre
Used to describe poor quality or performance of things.
mean, unkind
Used to describe a person's unfriendly or hurtful character or behavior.
naughty, mischievous
Commonly used to describe playful or mischievous behavior of children or pets.

Après le voyage, ils ont attrapé de méchants rhumes.
After the trip, they caught bad colds.
L'entreprise a subi de méchants retards pendant les travaux.
The company experienced serious delays during the work.
Les enfants deviennent méchants quand ils sont fatigués.
The children become mean when they are tired.

bad, mediocre
Used to describe poor quality or performance of things.
mean, unkind
Used to describe a person's unfriendly or hurtful character or behavior.
naughty, mischievous
Commonly used to describe playful or mischievous behavior of children or pets.

Les méchantes notes de l'examen ont déçu toute la classe.
The bad grades on the exam disappointed the whole class.
De méchantes erreurs dans le rapport ont retardé le projet.
Some bad errors in the report delayed the project.
Ces voisines sont méchantes avec les enfants du quartier.
These neighbors are mean to the children in the neighborhood.
Elles ont lancé de méchantes remarques pendant la réunion.
They made some unkind remarks during the meeting.