French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
brigand
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁigɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounrobber
Example
Un brigand m'a volé mon portefeuille hier.
A robber stole my wallet yesterday.
More examples
Une femme a été attaquée par un brigand dans la rue.
A woman was attacked by a robber in the street.
Core concept
An outlaw in a group that seizes property by force, a figure associated with attacks rather than an isolated theft.
Common phrases
un brigand à main armée
an armed robber
être attaqué par un brigand
be attacked by a robber
Similar words
voleur: A person who steals property from other people.
braqueur: A robber who attacks people or shops with weapons or violence to steal valuables.
cambrioleur: A thief who breaks into buildings to steal property.
bandit: A violent criminal who plunders through force or intimidation.
Definition in French
Individu qui commet des vols avec violence ou menace, souvent lié à des attaques en bande plutôt qu'à un simple vol isolé.
Word origin
Brigand is a French borrowing of Italian brigante, an agent noun associated with brigare, "to fight," whose meaning became that of a bandit.
Usage tips
- In espèce de brigand, the noun can be a playful or mildly reproachful insult, but the expression is informal.
Other meanings
- banditnoun