French word

sanguin

Pronunciation

IPA/sɑ̃gɛ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveshort-tempered

Example

Il est sanguin.

He is short-tempered.

Illustration for sanguin (short-tempered)

More examples

Quand il est sanguin, il répond vite sans réfléchir.

When he is short-tempered, he responds quickly without thinking.

Core concept

A red-hot emotional nature that moves rapidly from feeling to outward reaction.

Common phrases

  • caractère sanguin

    short-tempered character

  • tempérament sanguin

    short temper

Similar words

colérique: Prone to anger and liable to flare up over minor matters.
impulsif: Likely to act or speak on impulse without thinking things through.
émotif: Easily moved emotionally, openly showing sadness and joy.
passionné: Deeply enthusiastic and eager to express strong interests or feelings.

Definition in French

Qui montre facilement ses émotions et peut se mettre rapidement en colère; qualifie un tempérament vif et impulsif.

Word origin

Sanguin is a learned French development of Latin sanguineus, from sanguis, meaning blood, whose historical temperament theory linked blood with impulsive behavior.

Usage tips

  • French sanguin is not the usual equivalent of English sanguine, which commonly means optimistic or confident.

Other meanings

  • sanguineadjective
  • reddish-brownadjective

Opposites

  • calmecalmadjective
  • posélevelheadedadjective

Word lists with this word