French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
indifférence
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃difeʁɑ̃s/
Meaning
- feminine nounindifference
Example
Son indifférence m'a blessé.
His indifference hurt me.
More examples
Il a fait preuve d'indifférence quand je lui ai parlé.
He showed indifference when I spoke to him.
Core concept
A still face and turned-away attention toward another person or an event.
Common phrases
faire preuve d'indifférence
show indifference
montrer de l'indifférence
show indifference
Similar words
désintérêt: A state of showing no interest in people or things.
détachement: A calm attitude that keeps emotions apart for objective judgment.
froideur: A cold attitude or expression that creates emotional distance.
Definition in French
Attitude ou état d'une personne qui ne montre aucun intérêt, émotion ou préoccupation pour quelqu'un ou quelque chose.
Word origin
Indifférence is formed from the Latin adjective indifferens, meaning not differing, and came to denote an absence of interest or emotional concern.
Usage tips
- Indifférence can sound accusing when applied to someone's behavior, so a reason or a softer phrase such as ça m'est égal may avoid unintended harshness.
Other meanings
- coldnessnoun
Related words
- indifférentindifferentadjective
- indifféremmentindifferentlyadverb