English–French

“fool” in French

French

Alsotromper · sot · idiot · accroire

Pronunciation

IPA/giɲɔl/

Example

Ne fais pas le guignol en public.

Don't act the fool in public.

Illustration for guignol (fool)

How to say “fool” in French

“Fool” in French is guignol.

Someone whose awkward antics make them look like a ridiculous fool.

Full entry for guignol: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with guignol

Les collègues l'ont traité de guignol après son erreur.

His colleagues called him a fool after his mistake.

Tips for using guignol

  • Guignol is masculine, so the indefinite form is un guignol even when it refers to a person.

Other French words for “fool”

Il a trompé beaucoup de gens.

He fooled many people.

3

sot

masculine nounfool

C'est un sot.

He's a fool.

Tu es un idiot.

You are a fool.

Il a essayé de faire accroire de fausses preuves à son interlocuteur.

He tried to fool his interlocutor with false evidence.

“fool” in other languages