French Conversation · Level 140
30 words
French word
niais
Pronunciation
IPA/njɛ/
Meaning
- adjectivesilly
Example
Il est niais.
He is silly.
More examples
Ton choix est niais.
Your choice is silly.
Core concept
A person making a foolish, clueless move while treating it as ordinary.
Common phrases
air niais
silly expression
comportement niais
silly behavior
commentaire niais
silly comment
Similar words
naïf: Innocent and pure because of limited experience of the world.
bête: Foolish in a way that shows poor understanding or judgment.
stupide: Extremely foolish because of a lack of intelligence or common sense.
idiot: Extremely foolish and lacking ordinary common sense.
Definition in French
Décrit quelqu'un de naïf ou d'idiot sur un ton moqueur, souvent employé pour souligner un manque de jugeote.
Word origin
Niais comes from Old French niais; its precise earlier origin is uncertain, while the related verb niaiser developed from the adjective and became colloquial.
Usage tips
- Niais is more mocking and colloquial than French naïf, which more often describes innocent or inexperienced simplicity.