French Conversation · Level 159
30 words
French word
chiffe
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃif/
Meaning
- feminine nounwimp
Example
Ne sois pas une chiffe, viens avec nous.
Don't be a wimp, come with us.
More examples
Ses camarades l'ont traité de chiffe.
His classmates branded him a weakling.
Core concept
A crumpled rag with no strength of its own, used as an image for someone easily intimidated.
Common phrases
une chiffe molle
a spineless weakling
petite chiffe
a puny weakling
une chiffe pathétique
a pitiful weakling
Similar words
lâche: A contemptuous term for a coward who leaves others unaided and backs away.
timide: A term describing a shy person who stays quiet around others.
trouillard: A teasing colloquial term for someone who is quick to become frightened.
poltron: A derisive term for a coward who keeps away from danger.
Definition in French
Terme familier, souvent employé au féminin, pour désigner quelqu'un de peureux ou incapable d'affirmer sa volonté.
Word origin
The older concrete sense of chiffe was a piece of cloth, while the familiar personal sense developed by comparing weakness of will with limp fabric.
Usage tips
- Chiffe is strongly pejorative and colloquial, so peureux or timide is more neutral when describing fear or shyness.