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moyen

means, way

noun adjective mwah-YAN Less Common

Also means

average (as adjective)

Usage Note

Moyen as a noun means a means or method (les moyens de transport), and in the plural les moyens often refers to financial resources ('means'). As an adjective it means 'average' or 'medium' (taille moyenne = medium size). The phrase au moyen de ('by means of') is common in formal writing, while c'est moyen colloquially signals lukewarm approval ('it's so-so').

Examples

"Il n'a pas les moyens de payer."

Natural Translation

He doesn't have the means to pay.

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