French word

paysan

Pronunciation

IPA/peizɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfarmer

Example

Le paysan travaille dans les champs chaque matin.

The farmer works in the fields every morning.

Illustration for paysan (farmer)

More examples

Un paysan du village vend du fromage.

A village farmer sells cheese.

Core concept

A person whose daily work is closely tied to fields, soil, and a small rural farm.

Common phrases

  • le paysan traditionnel

    traditional farmer

  • des paysans locaux

    local farmers

  • un paysan du village

    a village farmer

Similar words

agriculteur: A professional agricultural producer who manages crops or livestock.
fermier: A farmer who runs a farm and tends its crops or animals.
cultivateur: A person who works the land directly to grow crops.
ouvrier agricole: A farm worker hired to perform daily agricultural tasks.

Definition in French

Personne qui cultive la terre ou vit en milieu rural, souvent liée à une exploitation agricole de petite taille.

Word origin

Paysan comes through Old French paisan from Latin pagensis, meaning 'of a district', derived from pagus, meaning 'district' or 'rural area'.

Usage tips

  • Paysan can sound neutral, affectionate, or dismissive when it suggests a rustic person rather than simply a farmer.

Other meanings

  • country bumpkinnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • paysannefemale farmernoun

Word lists with this word