French word

arnaque

Pronunciation

IPA/aʁnak/

Meaning

  • feminine nounscam

Example

C'est une arnaque, ne paie pas.

It's a scam, don't pay.

Illustration for arnaque (scam)

More examples

Avant de payer, vérifie les avis pour éviter une arnaque.

Before paying, check the reviews to avoid a scam.

Core concept

A hidden trick that turns a person's trust into stolen money or a gained advantage.

Common phrases

  • arnaque en ligne

    online scam

  • arnaque organisée

    organized scam

  • éviter une arnaque

    avoid a scam

Similar words

escroquerie: A crafty criminal scheme for taking money or property.
fraude: Fraudulent behavior that violates rules or laws for profit.
tromperie: The act of misleading someone with lies or false impressions.
piège: A setup meant to attract someone and trap them.

Definition in French

Terme familier pour une escroquerie : action de tromper quelqu'un afin de lui soutirer de l'argent ou un avantage.

Word origin

The noun arnaque was formed from arnaquer and appeared in nineteenth-century slang, while the verb's ultimate source is not established.

Usage tips

  • Se faire arnaquer commonly presents the victim's experience and means to get scammed or cheated.

Other meanings

  • rip-offnoun
  • connoun

Opposites

  • bonne affairegood dealnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word