catin

whore, prostitute

noun kah-TAN Rare

Usage Note

Catin is a dated, pejorative word for a prostitute, now mostly found in literature or regional speech rather than everyday French. Historically it was also a diminutive of the name Catherine and, in some dialects, a word for a rag doll. Learners are far more likely to encounter it in older texts than in conversation.

Examples

"Le roman décrit la vie d'une catin au XVIIIe siècle."

Natural Translation

The novel describes the life of a prostitute in the 18th century.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Ordering Food in French: Restaurant Phrases That Work

Order food in French with confidence: greet first, say je voudrais not je veux, ask for a carafe d'eau, answer quelle cuisson, and request the bill yourself.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Object Pronouns: le, la, lui, leur Order

Le lui or lui le? Use the à-name test to pick le/la vs lui/leur, then one slot chart to order two French object pronouns — plus the command exception.

June 4, 2026 6 min read