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bougre

fellow

noun BOO-gr Rare
People & Society Community

Also means

guy (mild expletive)

Usage Note

Bougre is an old-fashioned colloquial word meaning 'fellow' or 'chap', often used with mild sympathy or exasperation (pauvre bougre = 'poor fellow'). It can also function as a mild intensifier, but it has fallen out of everyday youth speech. The feminine bougresse exists but is rare.

Examples

"Ce pauvre bougre n'a pas eu de chance."

Natural Translation

That poor fellow had no luck.

Literal Translation

That poor fellow has not had luck.

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