English–French
“so-called” in French
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁetɑ̃dy/
Example
Il a invité son prétendu ami.
He invited his so-called friend.
How to say “so-called” in French
“So-called” in French is prétendu.
A label attached to a person or quality with a question mark beside it.
Example sentences with prétendu
Ils ont interrogé le prétendu témoin.
They questioned the alleged witness.
Tips for using prétendu
- Before a noun, prétendu usually signals the speaker's doubt, as in un prétendu ami, rather than a neutral report of someone else's claim.
Other French words for “so-called”
C'est un soi-disant ami.
He is a so-called friend.