French Conversation · Level 53
75 words
French word
inconnu
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃kony/
Meaning
- masculine nounstranger
Example
Un inconnu m'a aidé hier.
A stranger helped me yesterday.
More examples
Elle a ignoré un inconnu qui l'appelait.
She ignored a stranger who was calling her.
Core concept
A face in the crowd whose name and personal identity are not known.
Common phrases
avoir peur d'un inconnu
be afraid of a stranger
recevoir un message d'un inconnu
receive a message from a stranger
Similar words
étranger: A person from a different country or place of origin.
connaissance: A person previously met and recognized by name or face.
visiteur: A person visiting a place or home.
passant: A person passing through a street or place.
Definition in French
Personne dont on ignore l'identité ou que l'on n'a jamais rencontrée.
Word origin
French inconnu comes from Latin incognitus, formed from in- 'not' and cognitus 'known'.
Usage tips
- The noun is un inconnu for a man and une inconnue for a woman, with the same gender distinction in the plural.