French word

yankee

Pronunciation

IPA/jɑ̃ki/

Meaning

  • adjectiveAmerican

Example

C'est un touriste yankee.

He is an American tourist.

Illustration for yankee (American)

More examples

Le touriste yankee a acheté un café.

The American tourist bought a coffee.

Core concept

A person seen as coming from the United States, with a label that can sound friendly or dismissive.

Similar words

Américain: A person who is a United States citizen or comes from the United States.
ricain: A casual slang term for a person from the United States, sometimes mildly insulting.
étatsunien: A relatively formal, neutral term for a citizen of the United States.

Definition in French

Qui est originaire des États-Unis, avec une nuance familière, parfois péjorative.

Word origin

French borrowed yankee from English Yankee, a label whose uses and tone have changed across time and regions.

Usage tips

  • In neutral French, Américain is usually safer than yankee, whose tone can be familiar or pejorative.

Other meanings

  • Yankeenoun

Word lists with this word