French Conversation · Level 98
60 words
French word
malfaiteur
Pronunciation
IPA/malfɛtœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncriminal
Example
Le malfaiteur a été arrêté hier.
The criminal was arrested yesterday.
More examples
La police a identifié le malfaiteur grâce aux témoignages.
The police identified the criminal thanks to witness statements.
Core concept
A wrongdoer at the source of an illegal act that causes harm or loss to others.
Common phrases
signalement d'un malfaiteur
report of a criminal
prendre en photo le malfaiteur
photograph the criminal
poursuivre le malfaiteur
pursue the criminal
Similar words
criminel: Someone responsible for a serious criminal offense.
voleur: Someone who steals goods or money.
agresseur: Someone who physically attacks and injures another person.
délinquant: Someone who engages in unlawful or rule-breaking behavior.
Definition in French
Individu responsable d'un délit ou d'un crime.
Word origin
Malfaiteur comes through Old French from Latin malefactor, formed from malus, "bad", and facere, "to do".
Usage tips
- Malfaiteur is formal and broad, so French often uses a more specific word such as voleur or agresseur when the offense matters.