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fainéant

lazybones, idler

noun adjective feh-neh-AHN Rare
People & Society Values

Origin: Reanalysis of faignant (present participle of feindre), interpreted as fait-néant 'does nothing'

Also means

lazy

Usage Note

Fainéant can function as both a noun ('a lazy person') and an adjective ('lazy'). The feminine form is fainéante. It carries a mildly pejorative tone — stronger than paresseux in some registers. The related noun fainéantise means idleness or laziness.

Examples

"Ne sois pas si fainéant !"

Natural Translation

Don't be so lazy!

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