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analphabète

illiterate

adjective noun ah-nal-fah-BET Rare

Origin: Greek analphabetos, not knowing the alphabet

Usage Note

Analphabète describes someone who cannot read or write; used as a noun it refers to such a person. It is invariable for gender in the adjective form: un homme analphabète / une femme analphabète. The related noun l'analphabétisme (illiteracy) is frequently encountered in education statistics.

Examples

"Le programme aide les adultes analphabètes à lire."

Natural Translation

The programme helps illiterate adults to read.

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