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âne

donkey

noun AHN Less Common

Also means

fool, blockhead

Usage Note

Âne is masculine; the female is une ânesse. The figurative sense 'blockhead' or 'dunce' appears in the expression bonnet d'âne (a dunce cap, literally 'donkey's hat') still referenced in French school culture. Un âne bâté ('a saddled donkey') is an idiom for an utter fool.

Examples

"L'âne porte les bagages sur son dos."

Natural Translation

The donkey carries the luggage on its back.

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