taliban
Taliban (member)
noun tah-lee-BAHN Rare
Origin: from Pashto/Arabic talib, 'student (of religion)'
Usage Note
Taliban is used in French both as a singular noun (un taliban) and, increasingly, as an invariable plural following the English practice (les Taliban), though les talibans with a French plural -s is also found in the press. The word entered French directly from news coverage of Afghanistan. It is treated as a masculine noun.
Examples
"Les talibans ont repris le pouvoir en 2021."
Natural Translation
The Taliban retook power in 2021.

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