French Conversation · Level 162
30 words
French word
truand
Pronunciation
IPA/tʁyɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nouncrook
Example
Ce truand m'a volé mon portefeuille.
That crook stole my wallet.
More examples
Le truand a disparu avant l'arrivée de la police.
The thug disappeared before the police arrived.
Core concept
A street rogue who takes money or goods through petty theft, scams, or other small-time wrongdoing.
Common phrases
le truand du quartier
the neighborhood thug
un gang de truands
a gang of thugs
Similar words
voyou: A violent delinquent who threatens people or uses force.
voleur: A person who secretly takes or steals things belonging to others.
escroc: A swindler who tricks people into giving up their money.
bandit: An armed robber or outlaw who takes valuables by force or threat.
Definition in French
Désigne une personne malhonnête qui commet des vols, des escroqueries ou d'autres actes de délinquance de petit calibre.
Word origin
Truand comes through Old French truant, a word for a vagabond or beggar that later developed the sense of a rogue or petty criminal.
Usage tips
- Truand is a familiar, pejorative word, so neutral délinquant is safer in formal descriptions of an offender.
Other meanings
- thugnoun
Opposites
- homme honnêtehonest mannoun