bidon

jerry can

noun bee-DOHN Rare

Also means

fake, phoney

Usage Note

Bidon in its literal sense is a metal or plastic container for fuel or water (un bidon d'huile — an oil can). In informal French it also functions as an adjective meaning fake or bogus (c'est du bidon — it's a sham). Bidonville (shantytown) is a derived compound, named for the makeshift tin-can construction.

Examples

"Il remplit le bidon d'essence."

Natural Translation

He filled the jerry can with petrol.

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