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tzigane

Romani, Gypsy

noun adjective tsee-GAHN Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: From Byzantine Greek 'atsinganos', via German 'Zigeuner' or Hungarian.

Usage Note

Tzigane (also spelled tsigane) refers to the Romani people and their culture, particularly their music — la musique tzigane is associated with passionate violin playing and is central to Hungarian and Eastern European folk traditions. The term is generally used without pejorative intent in French, especially in cultural contexts, though Roms is now the preferred ethnonym in official discourse.

Examples

"L'orchestre joue de la musique tzigane."

Natural Translation

The orchestra plays Romani music.

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