French Conversation · Level 125
55 words
French word
gênant
Pronunciation
IPA/ʒɛnɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectiveawkward
Example
C'est gênant.
It's awkward.
More examples
Il est gênant de parler de son salaire en public.
It is awkward to talk about his salary in public.
Core concept
A social moment that makes people hesitate, blush, or fall silent.
Common phrases
être gênant
be awkward
un silence gênant
an awkward silence
Similar words
embarrassant: Causing embarrassment and making the situation uncomfortable.
embarrassé: Feeling embarrassed and unable to relax.
Definition in French
Qui provoque une gêne ou un embarras dans une situation sociale, rendant l'atmosphère inconfortable entre les personnes présentes.
Word origin
Gênant is the present participle of gêner used as an adjective; the verb is recorded in Old French as gener and gaener.
Usage tips
- Gênant describes the situation or thing causing discomfort, while embarrassé describes the person who feels embarrassed.
Other meanings
- troublesomeadjective
- embarrassingadjective
Opposites
- confortablecomfortableadjective