French Conversation · Level 16
89 words
French word
saint
Pronunciation
IPA/sɛ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounsaint
Example
Il a été proclamé saint par l'Église.
He was proclaimed a saint by the Church.
More examples
Les habitants le considèrent comme un saint.
The residents consider him a saint.
Core concept
A deeply devout person regarded by a religious community as a moral model and close to God.
Common phrases
un saint
a saint
le saint patron
the patron saint
Similar words
prêtre: A religious leader who guides worshippers during services and ceremonies.
croyant: Someone who believes in and practices a particular religion.
religieux: A member of a monastic community devoted to prayer and shared religious life.
Definition in French
Individu considéré comme profondément pieux et consacré, dont la vie sert de modèle moral au sein de la communauté religieuse.
Word origin
French saint comes from Latin sanctus, meaning "holy" or "consecrated," and later became a noun for a person known for exceptional religious devotion.
Usage tips
- In ordinary French, être un saint can praise someone as exceptionally patient or good, sometimes with irony, without referring to formal canonization.