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A2 adjective 8 Min. Lesezeit

digne

Beispiele Notizen & Tipps digne in 30 Sekunden
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At the A1 level, you should learn 'digne' as part of fixed expressions. The most important one is 'digne de confiance', which means 'trustworthy'. Imagine you are talking about a friend or a babysitter. You want to say they are good and you can trust them. You say: 'Il est digne de confiance'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'digne' describes a person's character. It is an adjective. It stays the same for 'il' (he) and 'elle' (she). 'Il est digne', 'Elle est digne'. This word helps you describe people in a positive, respectful way. You might also see it in simple stories where a hero is 'digne' (noble/brave). Focus on the idea of 'being good enough' for something. If a dog is very good, it is 'digne d'un biscuit' (worthy of a biscuit). Keep it simple and use it to praise people you like and trust.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'digne' with the preposition 'de' to link it to other nouns. You are moving beyond just 'trustworthy' to 'worthy of' other things. For example, 'digne d'un prix' (worthy of a prize) or 'digne d'attention' (worthy of attention). You should also notice that 'digne' can describe things, not just people. A movie can be 'digne d'intérêt' (interesting/worthy of interest). This is a great way to expand your vocabulary for reviews and opinions. You should also learn the opposite: 'indigne'. If something is 'indigne', it is very bad or shameful. For example, 'C'est indigne de toi' (That is beneath you/unworthy of you). At this level, pay attention to the pronunciation—the 'gn' sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon'. Practice saying 'digne' (/diɲ/) clearly so it doesn't sound like other words. You are starting to express more nuanced judgments about quality and behavior.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'digne' in more complex sentence structures, including 'digne de' followed by an infinitive verb. For example: 'C'est un spectacle digne d'être vu' (It's a show worthy of being seen). This allows you to discuss culture, art, and news with more sophistication. You will also encounter the phrase 'digne de ce nom'. This is a very common idiomatic expression used to set a standard. 'Un restaurant digne de ce nom' is a restaurant that actually deserves to be called a restaurant because it is so good. You can use this to express strong opinions, both positive and negative. You should also understand the noun form 'la dignité' (dignity) and how it relates to the adjective. At B1, you are expected to talk about feelings and abstract concepts; 'digne' is perfect for discussing how people react to challenges. For instance, 'Il a perdu son travail mais il est resté digne' (He lost his job but remained dignified).
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At the B2 level, 'digne' becomes a tool for formal writing and debate. you should use it to discuss social and ethical issues. The concept of 'dignité humaine' (human dignity) is a key topic in French discourse regarding human rights, labor laws, and bioethics. You will hear 'digne' in political speeches to describe the behavior expected of citizens or leaders. You should also be able to distinguish 'digne' from synonyms like 'méritant' or 'valable'. For example, you might argue that while a candidate is 'méritant' (hardworking), they are not 'digne' of the position because they lack the necessary 'dignité' (stature). You should also explore literary uses where 'digne' describes a high-style or 'noble' tone. Your use of 'digne' should reflect an understanding of social hierarchy and moral standards. You might use it in a cover letter: 'Je m'efforcerai d'être digne de la confiance que vous m'accordez' (I will strive to be worthy of the trust you place in me).
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At the C1 level, you explore the philosophical and historical nuances of 'digne'. You should be aware of its usage in classical French literature (like Corneille or Racine), where 'digne' often refers to aristocratic honor and the duty one owes to one's rank. You will encounter 'digne' in complex rhetorical structures, such as 'rien n'est plus digne de...' (nothing is more worthy of...). You should be able to use the word to describe subtle shades of character—for instance, the difference between 'une fierté digne' (a dignified pride) and 'une arrogance indigne' (an unworthy arrogance). You should also be familiar with legal and administrative contexts where 'digne' appears in phrases like 'digne de succéder' (worthy to succeed/inherit). At this level, your mastery includes knowing when *not* to use 'digne' to avoid sounding overly dramatic or archaic, choosing instead a more modern equivalent if the context is very informal. You understand the weight the word carries in the French 'code d'honneur'.
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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of the word's semantic field. You can use 'digne' to navigate the most delicate social and professional situations. You understand the historical evolution from the Latin 'dignus' and how it has shaped the French concept of 'l'exception française' and 'la grandeur'. You can analyze how 'digne' is used in the French Constitution or in the Declaration of the Rights of Man. You are capable of using 'digne' in irony or satire—for example, describing a trivial event with overly 'digne' language to create a comedic effect. Your vocabulary includes rare derivatives and related concepts. You can participate in high-level academic debates about 'la vie digne' in the context of global poverty or environmental ethics. For you, 'digne' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural marker that you use with precision, whether in a legal brief, a philosophical essay, or a sophisticated social critique.
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digne in 30 Sekunden

  • Digne primarily means 'worthy' or 'deserving' of something, often used with the preposition 'de'.
  • It also describes a person who is 'dignified', showing self-respect and honor in their actions.
  • Commonly found in phrases like 'digne de confiance' (trustworthy) and 'digne de ce nom' (worthy of the name).
  • It is a formal to neutral adjective that agrees in number but not in gender in the singular.

The French adjective digne is a versatile and essential word that primarily translates to 'worthy' or 'deserving' in English. At its core, it describes someone or something that possesses sufficient merit, value, or character to justify a particular treatment, reaction, or status. However, its usage extends beyond mere merit; it also carries a strong connotation of 'dignity'—that sense of being composed, honorable, and self-respecting, especially in difficult situations. Understanding digne requires looking at it through two main lenses: the relational lens (being worthy *of* something) and the intrinsic lens (being a dignified person).

Relational Worth
In this context, 'digne' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de'. It indicates that a person or thing deserves a specific outcome. For example, 'digne de louange' means 'worthy of praise.' It is used in professional settings to describe candidates, in personal settings to describe trust, and in critical settings to evaluate quality.

Cet homme est digne de votre confiance absolue.

Intrinsic Dignity
When used alone to describe a person's demeanor, 'digne' means they carry themselves with honor and gravity. It suggests a lack of pettiness and a presence of self-control. A 'comportement digne' is a behavior that commands respect because it is serious and noble.

Historically, 'digne' comes from the Latin 'dignus', which shares the root with 'dignitas' (dignity). In French culture, being 'digne' is highly valued as it reflects the Republican ideals of respect and civic virtue. You will hear it in political speeches, legal contexts, and formal literature, but it is equally common in everyday conversations when discussing someone's character or the quality of a performance. For instance, a film 'digne d'un Oscar' is one that meets the high standards of such an award.

Elle a conservé un air digne malgré l'échec cuisant.

The Negation: Indigne
To understand 'digne', it helps to look at its opposite, 'indigne'. If 'digne' is worthy, 'indigne' is shameful or unworthy. Calling someone's behavior 'indigne' is a very strong criticism in French, implying they have failed to meet the basic standards of human decency or professional conduct.

In summary, 'digne' is a word that bridges the gap between external evaluation (merit) and internal character (honor). Whether you are praising a friend's reliability or describing a queen's posture, 'digne' provides the necessary nuance of respect and deservedness that defines high-quality interactions in the French-speaking world.

Using digne correctly requires attention to its grammatical environment, specifically its relationship with the preposition de. Unlike some adjectives that can stand alone freely, 'digne' often acts as a bridge to a noun or a verb that specifies what the subject is worthy of. This section explores the structural patterns you will encounter most frequently.

Pattern 1: Digne de + Noun
This is the most common construction. It links a person or object to a quality or reward they deserve. Common nouns include 'confiance' (trust), 'respect' (respect), 'attention' (attention), and 'intérêt' (interest). Example: 'C'est un projet digne d'intérêt' (It is a project worthy of interest).

Votre courage est digne d'éloges.

Pattern 2: Digne de + Infinitive Verb
You can also use 'digne' to say that something is worth doing. In this case, 'de' is followed by an infinitive. For instance, 'Une histoire digne d'être racontée' (A story worthy of being told). Note that we often use the passive infinitive (être + past participle) in this structure.
Pattern 3: Digne as an Absolute Adjective
When 'digne' is used without 'de', it describes a person's character or appearance. It means 'dignified'. It usually follows the verb 'être' or a linking verb like 'sembler' (to seem) or 'paraître' (to appear). Example: 'Elle est restée digne face à l'insulte' (She remained dignified in the face of the insult).

Il a une allure digne et imposante.

Placement is also key. While most French adjectives follow the noun, 'digne' almost always does so when it is part of a phrase ('un homme digne de foi'). If used alone to mean 'dignified', it also follows the noun ('un regard digne'). Be careful not to confuse it with 'deigne', which is a conjugated form of the verb 'daigner' (to deign/condescend).

The word digne is not just a relic of formal literature; it is a living part of the French language found in various domains of life. From the evening news to professional evaluations, its presence signals a judgment of quality or character.

In Professional and Academic Settings
In a workplace, 'digne' is used to validate competence or reliability. A manager might describe a report as 'digne d'un expert' (worthy of an expert). In academic circles, a thesis might be 'digne de mention' (worthy of mention/distinction). It carries a weight of formal approval.

Son travail est digne des plus grands chercheurs.

In Media and Journalism
Journalists often use the phrase 'digne de ce nom' (worthy of the name) to criticize or praise an institution. For example, 'Une démocratie digne de ce nom doit protéger la liberté de la presse' (A democracy worthy of the name must protect press freedom). It is a standard rhetorical tool to establish benchmarks.
In Legal and Ethical Discourse
The concept of 'dignité humaine' (human dignity) is central to French law. In courtrooms or ethical debates (such as those regarding end-of-life care), 'digne' is used to describe a life or a death that maintains the inherent respect due to a human being. 'Mourir dans la dignité' (to die with dignity) is a very common and poignant phrase.

Chaque individu a droit à une vie digne.

Finally, in daily social life, 'digne' appears in idioms like 'digne de foi' (trustworthy/credible). If someone tells you a story that seems unbelievable, you might ask if the source is 'digne de foi'. It is a way of questioning the reliability of information without being overtly aggressive.

Even though digne is a relatively straightforward adjective, English speakers often stumble over its specific nuances, prepositional requirements, and phonetic similarities to other words. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your French sound much more natural.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the 'de'
In English, we say 'worthy of' or sometimes just 'worthy'. In French, if 'digne' is followed by a complement, the 'de' is mandatory. Saying 'C'est digne l'attention' is incorrect; it must be 'C'est digne de l'attention'.

Faux: Il est digne ma confiance.
Vrai: Il est digne de ma confiance.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Digne' with 'Mérité'
While both relate to merit, 'mérité' is a past participle used to describe something that has been earned (like a 'succès mérité'). 'Digne' describes the person or thing that *deserves* it. You are 'digne d'un prix' (worthy of a prize), and the prize you receive is 'mérité' (deserved).
Mistake 3: Overusing it for 'Worth'
If you want to say 'It is worth 5 euros', do NOT use 'digne'. Use 'valoir' ('Ça vaut 5 euros'). 'Digne' is for moral or qualitative worth, not monetary value. Similarly, for 'It is worth seeing', use 'Ça vaut la peine de voir' or 'C'est à voir'.

Faux: Ce film est digne 10 euros.
Vrai: Ce film vaut 10 euros.

Finally, remember gender agreement. While 'digne' looks the same in masculine and feminine singular, the plural is 'dignes'. 'Ils sont dignes de respect'. Forgetting the 's' in writing is a common mistake for learners.

To truly master digne, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in register and meaning. French offers several ways to express worthiness, each with its own flavor.

Valable vs. Digne
'Valable' usually means 'valid' or 'acceptable'. It is more functional. A 'raison valable' is a valid reason. 'Digne' is more elevated; a 'raison digne' would imply a reason that has moral weight or nobility.

Son argument est valable, mais son attitude n'est pas digne.

Méritant vs. Digne
'Méritant' is often used for people who work hard and deserve success (deserving/meritorious). 'Digne' focuses more on the inherent quality or the match between the person and the reward. You might call a poor student who works three jobs 'méritant'.
Respectable vs. Digne
'Respectable' is a close synonym, but it often implies social standing or decency. 'Digne' is more about the internal state of honor. A person can be 'respectable' because they have a good job, but 'digne' because they handle tragedy with grace.

Other alternatives include 'honorable' (honorable), 'estimable' (estimable/worthy of esteem), and 'noble' (noble). In literary contexts, you might see 'laudable' (praiseworthy). Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize the person's effort (méritant), their social status (respectable), or their inherent quality (digne).

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'digne' is the root of the English word 'dignity', but also 'deign' and 'disdain' (from 'desdaigner').

Aussprachehilfe

UK /diːnjə/
US /diːnjə/
Primary stress is on the first syllable.
Reimt sich auf
ligne vigne cygne signe insigne résigne désigne bénigne
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'gn' as 'g' + 'n' (like 'dig-ne'). It should be one sound.
  • Confusing it with 'dingue' (/dɛ̃ɡ/), which means crazy.
  • Making the 'i' sound too short like 'dig'. It should be a tense 'ee' sound.
  • Over-pronouncing the final 'e' as 'uh'. In modern French, it's very faint.
  • Confusing it with 'digne' (verb form of daigner), though they sound similar.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognates like 'dignity'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'de' and the 'gn' spelling.

Sprechen 4/5

The 'gn' sound (/ɲ/) can be tricky for English speakers.

Hören 3/5

Must distinguish from 'dingue' or 'ligne'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

être confiance respect bon mériter

Als Nächstes lernen

valoir méritant honneur fierté honte

Fortgeschritten

abnégation probité panache déchéance
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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Il est digne de confiance.

He is trustworthy.

digne de + noun

2

Elle est très digne.

She is very dignified.

adjective used alone

3

C'est un cadeau digne d'un ami.

It's a gift worthy of a friend.

digne d' + noun starting with vowel

4

Tu es digne de ce prix.

You are worthy of this prize.

subject + être + digne de

5

Le chien est digne d'une récompense.

The dog is worthy of a reward.

noun + digne de

6

C'est une personne digne.

It is a dignified person.

adjective after noun

7

Soyez digne !

Be dignified!

imperative mood

8

Il n'est pas digne de toi.

He is not worthy of you.

negation with ne...pas

1

Ce film est digne d'intérêt.

This movie is worthy of interest.

digne d'intérêt is a common phrase

2

C'est un travail digne d'un professionnel.

It is a work worthy of a professional.

comparison of quality

3

Elle a une attitude digne.

She has a dignified attitude.

describing behavior

4

Il est digne de porter ce nom.

He is worthy of bearing this name.

digne de + infinitive

5

Votre aide est digne de remerciements.

Your help is worthy of thanks.

abstract noun complement

6

Ils sont dignes de notre respect.

They are worthy of our respect.

plural agreement (dignes)

7

Ce n'est pas digne d'un élève de cette école.

It's not worthy of a student from this school.

standard setting

8

Elle est restée digne malgré la défaite.

She remained dignified despite the defeat.

adverbial phrase 'malgré'

1

C'est un monument digne d'être visité.

It's a monument worthy of being visited.

digne d'être + past participle

2

Il cherche un adversaire digne de lui.

He is looking for an opponent worthy of him.

digne de + pronoun

3

Cette nouvelle est digne de faire la une.

This news is worthy of making the front page.

digne de + infinitive

4

Il n'y a pas de démocratie digne de ce nom sans liberté.

There is no democracy worthy of the name without freedom.

idiom: digne de ce nom

5

Elle s'est montrée digne de la situation.

She showed herself worthy of the situation.

se montrer + digne

6

C'est une offre digne d'être examinée.

It's an offer worthy of being examined.

passive infinitive

7

Il a agi d'une manière digne.

He acted in a dignified manner.

adverbial phrase with 'manière'

8

Est-ce que cette source est digne de foi ?

Is this source trustworthy?

idiom: digne de foi

1

Son discours était digne d'un grand homme d'État.

His speech was worthy of a great statesman.

comparative merit

2

Ils ont mené un combat digne de leurs ancêtres.

They fought a battle worthy of their ancestors.

historical reference

3

L'accusé a conservé un silence digne.

The accused maintained a dignified silence.

silence digne is a collocation

4

Ce comportement est indigne d'un officier.

This behavior is unworthy of an officer.

antonym: indigne

5

Elle a reçu un accueil digne d'une reine.

She received a welcome worthy of a queen.

simile with digne

6

Il faut assurer une fin de vie digne aux patients.

A dignified end of life must be ensured for patients.

ethical context

7

Le projet n'est pas encore digne de financement.

The project is not yet worthy of funding.

financial worthiness

8

C'est un spectacle digne des plus grandes scènes mondiales.

It's a show worthy of the world's greatest stages.

superlative context

1

Sa réaction fut digne de la tragédie qui se jouait.

Her reaction was worthy of the tragedy unfolding.

literary register

2

Il a su rester digne dans l'adversité la plus totale.

He managed to remain dignified in total adversity.

abstract noun 'adversité'

3

Cette œuvre est digne de figurer dans les plus grands musées.

This work is worthy of appearing in the greatest museums.

digne de + figurer (elevated verb)

4

L'éloquence du ministre était digne de Cicéron.

The minister's eloquence was worthy of Cicero.

classical allusion

5

Il s'agit d'une cause digne de tous les sacrifices.

It is a cause worthy of all sacrifices.

moral weight

6

Leur dévouement est digne d'admiration.

Their dedication is worthy of admiration.

digne d'admiration (collocation)

7

On ne saurait être digne de commander sans savoir obéir.

One cannot be worthy of commanding without knowing how to obey.

philosophical maxim

8

C'est une réponse digne de son rang.

It is a response worthy of his rank.

social status context

1

L'austérité de son style est digne de la prose classique.

The austerity of his style is worthy of classical prose.

stylistic analysis

2

Elle a affronté l'opprobre avec une contenance digne.

She faced the disgrace with a dignified countenance.

rare vocabulary (opprobre, contenance)

3

Rien n'est plus digne de l'homme que la quête de la vérité.

Nothing is more worthy of man than the quest for truth.

rhetorical 'rien n'est plus...'

4

L'arrêt de la cour est digne de faire jurisprudence.

The court's ruling is worthy of setting a precedent.

legal terminology

5

C'est un épilogue digne d'un roman de Balzac.

It's an epilogue worthy of a Balzac novel.

literary comparison

6

Sa probité le rend digne des plus hautes fonctions.

His integrity makes him worthy of the highest offices.

probité (high-level synonym for honesty)

7

Il a fait preuve d'une abnégation digne de respect.

He showed a self-sacrifice worthy of respect.

abnégation (advanced noun)

8

Sa vie fut un sacerdoce digne de mémoire.

His life was a priesthood worthy of memory.

metaphorical usage

Synonyme

méritant respectable honorable estimable noble valable louable exemplaire

Gegenteile

indigne méprisable honteux insignifiant

Häufige Kollokationen

digne de confiance
digne d'intérêt
digne de ce nom
digne de foi
rester digne
air digne
digne de louange
digne d'admiration
vie digne
digne de pitié

Häufige Phrasen

S'en montrer digne

— To show oneself worthy of something (like a responsibility).

Il a reçu une promotion et veut s'en montrer digne.

C'est digne de lui/elle

— That is typical of him/her (usually used for good things, but can be ironic).

Il a aidé sans rien demander, c'est bien digne de lui.

Pas digne de

— Not worthy of; beneath someone.

Ce genre de mensonge n'est pas digne de toi.

Digne d'être cité

— Worthy of being mentioned or quoted.

C'est un exemple digne d'être cité dans votre rapport.

Digne d'un roi

— Fit for a king; of very high quality.

Nous avons eu un repas digne d'un roi.

Digne d'éloges

— Worthy of praise.

Sa performance était digne d'éloges.

Se tenir digne

— To carry oneself with dignity.

Il s'est tenu digne pendant toute la cérémonie.

Digne de respect

— Worthy of respect.

C'est un adversaire digne de respect.

Digne de remarque

— Noteworthy.

Il y a un point digne de remarque dans ce texte.

Digne de succéder

— Worthy to follow/succeed someone.

Il est digne de succéder à son père à la tête de l'entreprise.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Digne de ce nom"

— Truly deserving of the title or category; genuine.

Un ami digne de ce nom ne te laisserait pas tomber.

neutral
"Digne de foi"

— Credible; reliable (usually for information or witnesses).

Le témoin est jugé digne de foi par la cour.

formal
"Digne d'un roman"

— Incredible or dramatic enough to be in a book.

Sa vie est une aventure digne d'un roman.

neutral
"Indigne de"

— Beneath the dignity of someone; shameful for them.

C'est une insulte indigne d'un professeur.

neutral
"Digne d'un Oscar"

— Of such high quality that it deserves an award.

Sa réaction de surprise était digne d'un Oscar !

informal/figurative
"Digne de mémoire"

— Memorable; worthy of being remembered by history.

C'est un événement digne de mémoire.

formal
"Digne d'envie"

— Enviable; so good others want it.

Il a une situation digne d'envie.

neutral
"Digne de pitié"

— Pathetic; inspiring pity (sometimes used condescendingly).

Son excuse est digne de pitié.

neutral
"Digne de son sang"

— Worthy of one's lineage or family (archaic/literary).

Il s'est battu avec un courage digne de son sang.

literary
"Digne de haine"

— Worthy of hatred; truly detestable.

C'est un crime digne de haine.

formal

Wortfamilie

Substantive

dignité (dignity)
indignité (unworthiness)
dignitaire (dignitary)

Verben

daigner (to deign)
indigner (to outrage)
s'indigner (to be outraged)

Adjektive

digne (worthy)
indigne (unworthy)
dignitaire (relating to rank)

Verwandt

mérite
honneur
valeur
respect
fierté
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Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Dignified' person who is 'Worthy' of a 'Design' award. Digne sounds like the start of Dignified.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a queen sitting straight on her throne (dignified/digne) or a gold medal (worthy/digne).

Word Web

confiance respect honneur mérite indigne dignité valeur noble

Herausforderung

Try to use 'digne de' three times today: once for a person, once for a movie/book, and once for a goal.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin adjective 'dignus', meaning 'worthy' or 'appropriate'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Deserving of something, whether reward or punishment.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when calling someone 'indigne'; it is a very strong insult to their character.

In English, 'worthy' can sometimes sound a bit old-fashioned or religious. In French, 'digne' is very common and used in many modern, neutral contexts.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (French version) uses 'dignité'. Corneille's plays often feature characters struggling to remain 'dignes' of their rank. The French song 'Indigné' refers to social movements.
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