French Conversation · Level 145
30 words
French word
pudeur
Pronunciation
IPA/pydœʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounmodesty
Example
Elle montre de la pudeur quand elle parle.
She shows modesty when she speaks.
More examples
Il a perdu sa pudeur après quelques verres.
He lost his modesty after a few drinks.
Core concept
An inner brake that keeps words, actions, or appearance from crossing a boundary of decency or social tact.
Common phrases
manque de pudeur
lack of modesty
faire preuve de pudeur
show modesty
avoir de la pudeur
be modest
Similar words
discrétion: Cautious handling of private matters and information entrusted by others.
décence: The attitude of observing socially accepted rules of propriety and moderation.
modestie: The tendency to present oneself modestly rather than stand out.
Definition in French
Sentiment de retenue qui pousse à agir avec discrétion pour ne pas paraître indécent ou importun.
Word origin
French pudeur developed through Old French from Latin pudor, a word for shame and modesty.
Usage tips
- Pudeur is a feminine noun, so standard phrases include la pudeur, de la pudeur, and beaucoup de pudeur.
Other meanings
- reservenoun
- bashfulnessnoun
Opposites
- impudeurimmodestynoun
- indécenceindecencynoun
Related words
- pudiquemodestadjective
- pudiquementmodestlyadverb