French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
honteux
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔ̃tø/
Meaning
- adjectiveembarrassing
Example
C'est honteux de dire ça.
It's embarrassing to say that.
More examples
Après l'incident, il se sentait honteux.
After the incident, he felt ashamed.
Core concept
Someone feels the social weight of humiliation, while an act is judged dishonorable.
Common phrases
se sentir honteux
feel ashamed
propos honteux
shameful remarks
Similar words
embarrassant: Making a situation awkward and leaving others feeling embarrassed.
gênant: Creating discomfort or awkwardness that makes things difficult.
humiliant: Causing someone severe humiliation or a loss of dignity.
Definition in French
Qui exprime un état de gêne ou d'humiliation ressenti par quelqu'un, ou qui qualifie une conduite considérée comme déshonorante.
Word origin
Honteux derives from French honte, inherited from Old French hont, with -eux forming an adjective related to the noun.
Usage tips
- The masculine singular form is honteux, but the feminine form is honteuse, so agreement changes both the spelling and the final pronunciation.
Other meanings
- dishonorableadjective
- shamefuladjective
Opposites
- effrontébrazenadjective
Related words
- honteshamenoun
- honteusementshamefullyadverb