French word

mal-être

Pronunciation

IPA/malɛtʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noununease

Example

Je ressens un mal-être depuis quelque temps.

I have been feeling uneasy for some time.

Illustration for mal-être (unease)

More examples

Parler de son mal-être peut aider.

Talking about one's emotional distress can help.

Core concept

A persistent inner unease that clouds ordinary life with anxiety, discomfort, or sadness.

Common phrases

  • ressentir un mal-être

    feel emotional distress

  • parler de son mal-être

    talk about one's emotional distress

Similar words

malaise: A vague physical or emotional discomfort that may bring dizziness or feeling sick.
inquiétude: Concern and anxiety about what may happen in the future.
angoisse: Overwhelming anxiety or fear experienced as a tight feeling in the chest.
dépression: A serious mental health condition involving lasting low mood and disrupted daily functioning.

Definition in French

État de malaise psychique se traduisant par anxiété, gêne ou tristesse.

Word origin

Mal-être combines mal, meaning 'badly', with être, meaning 'to be', and names a troubled state of being.

Usage tips

  • The masculine noun takes un, as in un mal-être, and standard spelling keeps the hyphen.

Other meanings

  • discomfortnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word