French Conversation · Level 160
30 words
French word
feindre
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛ̃dʁ/
Meaning
- verbpretend
Example
Il feint la douleur pour attirer l'attention.
He pretends to be in pain to attract attention.
More examples
Il feint la surprise en découvrant le cadeau.
He pretends to be surprised when he discovers the gift.
Core concept
A person displays a convincing but unreal state, such as pain, to make others accept it as genuine.
Common phrases
feindre la surprise
pretend to be surprised
feindre d'ignorer
pretend not to know
Similar words
faire semblant: To deliberately act or appear differently from reality.
simuler: To artificially produce a reaction or symptom and present it as real.
prétendre: To claim or indicate that something is true when it is not.
jouer: To perform a role or emotion before other people.
Definition in French
Simuler une attitude, une sensation ou un état afin de donner l'impression qu'ils sont réels alors qu'ils ne le sont pas.
Word origin
French feindre comes through Old French from Latin fingere, meaning to shape or form, and developed the figurative sense of creating a false appearance.
Usage tips
- Feindre is more formal and more common in writing than the everyday expression faire semblant de.