French Conversation · Level 79
60 words
French word
néfaste
Pronunciation
IPA/nefast/
Meaning
- adjectiveharmful
Example
La pollution est néfaste pour la santé.
Pollution is harmful to human health.
More examples
Les déchets industriels ont un effet néfaste sur les océans.
Industrial waste has a harmful effect on the oceans.
Core concept
A damaging force that harms health, the environment, or a wider situation.
Common phrases
effet néfaste
harmful effect
répercussion néfaste
harmful consequence
Similar words
dangereux: Posing a risk of causing serious harm or accidents.
nocif: Directly harmful to the health of people, animals, or plants.
Definition in French
Qui cause un dommage ou des effets négatifs, notamment pour la santé, l'environnement ou une situation.
Word origin
French néfaste comes from Latin nefastus, originally describing what divine law forbade, and later acquired the sense of harmful.
Usage tips
- Néfaste is more formal than everyday mauvais pour, while nocif is common for substances or agents that cause harm.