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phénomène

phenomenon

noun fay-no-MEHN Rare

Origin: Greek phainomenon (thing appearing to view).

Also means

extraordinary person

Usage Note

Phénomène takes a regular -s plural: des phénomènes. Colloquially it describes a remarkable or eccentric individual (c'est un vrai phénomène — 'he's quite a character'). The feminine equivalent in that sense is un phénomène still, the word staying masculine.

Examples

"C'est un phénomène naturel fascinant."

Natural Translation

It's a fascinating natural phenomenon.

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