French word

bohémien

Pronunciation

IPA/boemjɛ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivebohemian

Example

Sa façon de vivre est très bohémienne.

Her way of life is very bohemian.

Illustration for bohémien (bohemian)

More examples

Son appartement a une décoration bohémienne.

His apartment has bohemian decor.

Core concept

An unconventional artist's life, often mobile, that places personal freedom above ordinary social rules.

Common phrases

  • vie bohémienne

    bohemian life

  • style bohémien

    bohemian style

  • esprit bohémien

    bohemian spirit

Similar words

artistique: Connected with art, artworks, or artistic expression.
créatif: Showing an ability or tendency to develop fresh ideas and original expression.
nomade: Living a traveling life without settling permanently in one place.
nonconformiste: Following a personal path instead of conforming to social expectations.

Definition in French

Qualifie une personne ou un mode de vie libre, souvent itinérant, axé sur la création et le refus des normes sociales.

Word origin

The French word bohémien comes from Bohême and shifted from a geographic label to a description of an unconventional, especially artistic, way of living.

Usage tips

  • Bohémien may sound admiring when it suggests artistic freedom, but it can sound negative when it suggests instability or rejection of ordinary responsibilities.

Opposites

Related words

  • bohémismebohemianismnoun

Word lists with this word