French Conversation · Level 83
60 words
French word
prolétariat
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁoletaʁja/
Meaning
- masculine nounworking class
Example
Le prolétariat exige de meilleures conditions de travail.
The working class demands better working conditions.
More examples
On retrouve le terme prolétariat dans les discussions sur le travail.
The term proletariat can be found in discussions about work.
Core concept
A social class of people who live from wages while owning no productive assets.
Similar words
travailleur: Someone who works and earns a wage.
ouvrier: A worker who performs physical tasks in factories, construction, or similar jobs.
salarié: An employed worker who receives regular pay or wages.
employé: Someone who works for a company, store, or similar employer.
Definition in French
Classe sociale composée de ceux qui dépendent du salaire pour vivre et qui n'ont pas la propriété des moyens de production.
Word origin
French prolétariat comes through prolétaire from Latin proletarius, a Roman term for the lowest citizens, and acquired its modern political sense in the nineteenth century.
Usage tips
- Prolétariat is masculine and usually takes the definite article in French: le prolétariat; it belongs mainly to political, historical, and academic registers.
Opposites
- bourgeoisiebourgeoisienoun
Related words
- prolétaireproletariannoun
- prolétarienproletarianadjective