French Conversation · Level 107
58 words
French word
infantile
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃fɑ̃til/
Meaning
- adjectivechildish
Example
Ne sois pas infantile.
Don't be childish.
More examples
Son comportement est infantile.
His behavior is childish.
Core concept
An adult still reacting with a child's lack of calm, judgment, or responsibility.
Common phrases
comportement infantile
childish behavior
attitude infantile
childish attitude
Similar words
immature: Lacking mental maturity, responsibility, or calm judgment.
enfantin: Showing innocent or simple childlike qualities in behavior.
Definition in French
Qualifie un comportement ou une attitude considéré comme immature, manquant de sérieux ou de responsabilité.
Word origin
French infantile comes from Latin infantilis, 'of an infant', formed from infans, 'not speaking', and later gained a figurative sense for immature conduct.
Usage tips
- Infantile is usually critical in French, so it can sound harsher than a neutral description of childlike behavior.
Other meanings
- immatureadjective
Opposites
- adulteadultadjective
- maturematureadjective
Related words
- infantilitéchildishnessnoun
- infantiliserinfantilizeverb