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superman

superman, superhuman person

noun soo-pehr-MAN Rare

Usage Note

Superman entered French directly from English and American comic culture, and is used both as a proper noun (the DC Comics hero) and informally to describe any person seen as extraordinarily capable. The plural is supermans in informal usage, though the word is often invariable. It carries a slightly ironic tone when applied to real people.

Examples

"Il se prend pour un superman."

Natural Translation

He thinks he's a superman.

Literal Translation

He takes himself for a superman.

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