canaille

scoundrel

noun kah-NYE Rare

Also means

rascal

Usage Note

Canaille can be affectionate or contemptuous depending on context — calling a child une petite canaille means 'you little rascal', while calling an adult one implies moral worthlessness. Historically it referred to the common rabble collectively. The adjective canaille (invariable) means 'vulgar' or 'low-class'.

Examples

"Cette canaille a trompé tout le monde."

Natural Translation

That scoundrel deceived everyone.

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