French Conversation · Level 180
15 words
French word
manie
Pronunciation
IPA/mani/
Meaning
- feminine nounhabit
Example
Il a la manie de tout vérifier.
He has a habit of checking everything.
More examples
Ma grand-mère a la manie de répéter les mêmes histoires.
My grandmother has a habit of repeating the same stories.
Core concept
A small repeated action that becomes a noticeable, irritating fixation.
Common phrases
avoir pour manie de
have a habit of ___
avoir la manie de
have the habit of ___
se débarrasser de la manie
get rid of the habit
Similar words
habitude: A regular habit or action that naturally forms part of everyday life.
tic: A small involuntary movement or sound repeated without conscious awareness.
vice: An undesirable habit or character tendency that persists and is often disapproved of.
Definition in French
Habitude ou tic particulier, souvent répétitif, qui peut être agaçant ou excessif.
Word origin
The noun comes from Greek mania, meaning madness or intense excitement, through Latin and Old French before developing a broader everyday sense.
Usage tips
- The common pattern is avoir la manie de + infinitive, as in Elle a la manie de tout ranger.
Other meanings
- quirknoun
- obsessionnoun
- fixationnoun
Opposites
- détachementdetachmentnoun
Related words
- maniaquecompulsiveadjective