méchant

mean

adjective noun meh-SHAHN Less Common

Also means

naughty

Usage Note

Méchant is the standard word for 'mean' or 'wicked', and in the context of children it often just means 'naughty'. As a noun, un méchant (masculine), une méchante (feminine) means a villain or bad guy — a key word in fairy tales and films. The opposite is gentil/gentille ('kind').

Examples

"Ne sois pas méchant avec ta soeur."

Natural Translation

Don't be mean to your sister.

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