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B1 adjective 9 Min. Lesezeit

laide

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Erklärung laide in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will encounter the word laide as a basic adjective to describe something that is not pretty. You are learning to describe objects and people, so 'laide' is the feminine counterpart to 'laid'. You should focus on the simple agreement: if the noun is feminine (like la robe or la voiture), you add an 'e' to 'laid' to get 'laide'. You will use it in simple sentences with the verb 'être' (to be). For example, 'La pomme est laide' (The apple is ugly). At this stage, it is important to distinguish it from its opposite, belle (beautiful). You might also see it in very simple stories or exercises where you have to match adjectives to pictures. Don't worry too much about the abstract meanings yet; just focus on visual descriptions and the correct spelling and pronunciation. Remember that the 'd' is pronounced in 'laide' but not in 'laid'. This is a key phonetic rule for beginners. You should also be aware that calling a person 'laide' is very mean, so use it mostly for objects in your practice exercises.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use laide in more varied contexts, such as describing weather or more complex objects. You should be comfortable with the placement of the adjective, which usually comes after the noun: 'une maison laide'. You will also start to see 'laide' used in comparisons, such as 'Cette voiture est plus laide que l'autre' (This car is uglier than the other). You might encounter it in descriptions of cities or places in travel-related texts. At this level, you should also be introduced to the informal synonym moche, which you will hear much more often in real conversations. Understanding the difference between 'laide' (standard) and 'moche' (informal) is an important step in developing your register awareness. You will also practice using adverbs of intensity with 'laide', like 'un peu laide' (a bit ugly) or 'très laide' (very ugly). Your goal is to move beyond simple 'is/is not' statements and provide more detailed descriptions using a variety of adjectives.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use laide to describe not just physical appearance, but also abstract concepts and moral qualities. You will learn expressions like 'une laide action' (a mean/ugly act) or 'la laide vérité' (the ugly truth). This shows your ability to handle metaphorical language. You should also be able to use 'laide' in more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses: 'C'est une peinture que je trouve particulièrement laide.' At this level, you will also explore the nuances between 'laide' and its synonyms like disgracieuse or vilaine. You should understand that 'laide' can describe an unpleasant atmosphere or a difficult situation. Your vocabulary is expanding, and you should be able to justify why you find something 'laide' using more sophisticated reasoning. You will also encounter 'laide' in more diverse media, such as news articles or short stories, where it might describe a 'laide cicatrice' (ugly scar) or a 'laide rumeur' (ugly rumor). Consistency in gender agreement remains vital, especially in longer, more complex sentences.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced command of laide and its stylistic effects. You will recognize how placing 'laide' before the noun can add a poetic or dramatic emphasis: 'une laide besogne' (an ugly/dirty task). You will also be familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'laide comme un pou' or 'laide à faire peur'. At this stage, you should be able to discuss aesthetic theories in a basic way—for example, why an artist might choose to depict something 'laide'. You will encounter the word in more formal literary texts and should be able to identify its moral connotations immediately. Your ability to switch between 'laide' and its synonyms (like hideuse, affreuse, or répugnante) should be fluid, depending on the intensity you wish to convey. You will also understand the social implications of using such a strong word and how to soften it in polite conversation. Your writing should show a clear mastery of the word's placement, agreement, and various shades of meaning, whether you are writing a critique, a story, or a formal letter.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of laide reaches a sophisticated level where you appreciate its role in French literary history and philosophy. You will study texts where the 'laideur' is a central theme, such as in the works of Baudelaire or the grotesque in Romanticism. You should be able to analyze how 'laide' is used to subvert traditional beauty standards and create a new kind of aesthetic power. Your vocabulary will include rare or specialized synonyms and related terms like difformité or disconvenance. You will be able to use 'laide' in highly formal academic contexts, discussing the 'laideur morale' of characters in classical theater. Furthermore, you will understand the subtle differences in connotation when 'laide' is used in different regional dialects or historical periods. Your use of the word will be precise, intentional, and stylistically varied. You will also be able to engage in complex debates about what constitutes 'laideur' in modern art and society, using the word and its derivatives with absolute confidence and grammatical perfection.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for laide. You understand its every nuance, from its etymological roots in Frankish to its most contemporary slang derivations. You can use it with ironic detachment, poetic depth, or brutal honesty, always perfectly suited to the context. You are aware of the word's resonance in the entire history of the French language, from the 'laide' figures in medieval gargoyles to the 'laideur' of industrial landscapes in modern cinema. You can effortlessly integrate it into complex philosophical discourses or use it in a witty, idiomatic way in high-level social interactions. At this level, 'laide' is no longer just a word to describe appearance; it is a tool for precise expression that you can manipulate to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You are also fully aware of the socio-linguistic boundaries of the word and can navigate them perfectly, knowing exactly when 'laide' is the only word that will suffice and when a subtle alternative would be more effective. Your mastery is such that you can even play with the word's sounds and meanings in creative writing or complex verbal arguments.

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Laide is the feminine form of 'laid', meaning ugly or unattractive.
It must agree with feminine nouns (e.g., une maison laide).
It can describe physical appearance, moral character, or unpleasant situations.
In casual French, 'moche' is a very common and less formal alternative.

The French word laide is the feminine singular form of the adjective laid, primarily translated as 'ugly' in English. However, its usage in the French language extends far beyond mere physical appearance, encompassing moral, aesthetic, and situational contexts that a B1 learner must navigate. When describing a person, 'laide' can be quite harsh, often carrying a stronger weight than the English 'unattractive.' In modern conversational French, you might hear the slang term moche more frequently for everyday items, but 'laide' remains the standard, slightly more formal choice for literature, formal descriptions, and moral judgments. It is essential to remember that 'laide' must agree with a feminine noun. If you are describing a woman, a car (une voiture), or an idea (une idée), you must use this feminine form. The transition from physical to abstract is where 'laide' truly shows its versatility. For instance, a 'laide action' refers to a despicable or dishonorable act, moving the definition from visual displeasure to ethical repulsion. This duality is a hallmark of French adjectives, where the external world and the internal character are often described using the same vocabulary to create a vivid image of quality.

Physical Appearance: Refers to something that is visually displeasing, asymmetrical, or lacks harmony. It is the direct opposite of 'belle' (beautiful).

Moral Character: Used to describe behavior that is mean, cruel, or lacking in integrity. A 'laide pensée' is an ugly or malicious thought.

Atmospheric Quality: Can describe weather or a situation that is unpleasant, gloomy, or discouraging. 'Une laide journée' suggests a day that is visually and emotionally dreary.

Cette vieille maison abandonnée est devenue vraiment laide avec le temps.

Elle a commis une laide action en trahissant son amie.

La cicatrice sur sa joue était laide et boursouflée.

Quelle laide couleur pour une chambre à coucher !

La statue, autrefois magnifique, est maintenant laide à cause de la pollution.

Using laide correctly requires a solid understanding of French adjective agreement and placement. Since 'laide' is feminine singular, it must modify a feminine singular noun. If the noun is masculine, you use laid; if plural, laides (feminine) or laids (masculine). In terms of placement, 'laide' typically follows the noun it describes, which is the standard rule for most French adjectives. However, for stylistic emphasis or when used in certain poetic contexts, it might precede the noun, though this is less common in everyday speech. For example, 'une laide femme' sounds more literary and judgmental than 'une femme laide'. Furthermore, 'laide' is often used with the verb être (to be) to make a direct statement about a subject. It can also follow verbs of perception like paraître (to seem) or sembler (to appear). When modifying an abstract noun like 'vérité' (truth), it creates the common expression 'la laide vérité' (the ugly truth), mirroring the English idiom. Understanding the intensity of 'laide' is also crucial; it is often preceded by adverbs like très (very), vraiment (really), or extrêmement (extremely) to intensify the negative aesthetic or moral quality being described.

Agreement with Feminine Nouns: Always ensure the noun is feminine. Examples: une voiture laide, une robe laide, une histoire laide.

Placement after the Noun: Most commonly: 'C'est une peinture laide.' This is the safest way for B1 learners to use the word.

Use with Verbs of State: When the subject is feminine: 'Elle est laide.' 'Cette situation devient laide.'

La vérité est parfois laide à entendre, mais elle est nécessaire.

Elle portait une robe laide qui ne lui allait pas du tout.

Cette rue est particulièrement laide sous la pluie battante.

C'est une laide habitude que de mentir à ses proches.

Sa réaction a été très laide et m'a beaucoup déçu.

In contemporary France, the frequency of laide varies significantly depending on the social setting and the subject being discussed. In literature, journalism, and formal critiques, 'laide' is the standard term for aesthetic failure. An art critic might describe a sculpture as 'intrinsèquement laide' (intrinsically ugly) to provoke thought. However, in the streets of Paris or among friends, you are much more likely to hear moche. 'C'est moche' is the universal reaction to a bad haircut, a poorly designed building, or a rainy day. 'Laide' carries a certain gravity; it is a definitive judgment. You will hear it in news reports when discussing 'les laides facettes de la politique' (the ugly facets of politics) or in classic cinema. For example, in the famous story of 'La Belle et la Bête' (Beauty and the Beast), the contrast is between 'beauté' and 'laideur' (the noun form), but the Beast's appearance is often described as 'laid'. In a feminine context, a character might be described as 'laide mais intelligente' in a 19th-century novel. Interestingly, 'laide' is also used in the realm of fashion to describe 'ugly-chic' trends, where things are intentionally 'laides' to challenge traditional beauty standards. You might also encounter it in the phrase 'laide à faire peur' (ugly enough to scare someone), which is a common hyperbolic idiom used to describe something truly hideous.

Literary Contexts: Used to describe the grotesque or the morally corrupt in novels by Victor Hugo or Honoré de Balzac.

Art and Criticism: Used when a formal judgment of aesthetic value is required, often in academic or professional settings.

Idiomatic Speech: Found in fixed expressions like 'une laide vérité' or 'laide comme un pou' (ugly as a louse/tick).

À la télévision, ils ont montré une image très laide de la guerre.

Le critique d'art a qualifié la peinture de 'sublimement laide'.

Elle se trouve laide sur cette photo, mais c'est faux.

C'est une laide affaire qui va finir au tribunal.

Le vent soufflait, rendant la mer grise et laide.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning French is the confusion between laide and the noun l'aide (help). While they are homophones in many regions, they serve completely different grammatical functions. 'Elle a besoin de laide' is incorrect if you mean 'She needs help' (should be l'aide); 'Elle est laide' means 'She is ugly.' Another common mistake is failing to apply gender agreement. Students often default to the masculine laid even when describing feminine nouns like 'une ville' or 'une chanson'. Remember: 'Cette ville est laid' is a major grammatical faux pas; it must be 'Cette ville est laide.' Additionally, learners often use 'laide' in situations where it is socially too harsh. Calling a person 'laide' to their face or even in conversation is a severe insult in French culture, much more so than 'not pretty.' It is better to use 'pas très jolie' or 'ordinaire' to be polite. There is also the mistake of misplacing the adjective. While 'une laide femme' is grammatically possible, it changes the tone significantly compared to 'une femme laide'. Finally, watch out for the pronunciation. The final 'e' in 'laide' causes the 'd' to be pronounced clearly (/lɛd/), whereas in the masculine 'laid', the 'd' is silent (/lɛ/). Failing to pronounce that 'd' when referring to a feminine subject can lead to confusion about the gender of the noun you are describing.

Confusion with 'L'aide': Always check if you are using an adjective (ugly) or a noun (help). Context is key.

Gender Agreement Errors: Feminine noun = laide. Masculine noun = laid. Mixed group = laids.

Tone and Register: Using 'laide' when 'moche' (informal) or 'disgracieuse' (formal/polite) is more appropriate.

Incorrect: J'ai vu une laid voiture. (Correct: une voiture laide)

Incorrect: Elle demande de laide. (Correct: Elle demande de l'aide)

Note the 'd': 'Laid' (silent d) vs 'Laide' (pronounced d).

Avoid: 'Tu es laide' (Too aggressive). Use: 'Cette tenue ne te met pas en valeur'.

Mistake: 'Une laide vérité' is correct, but 'Une vérité laide' is more standard.

To truly master French, you need to know when to use laide and when to reach for a synonym that provides more nuance. The most common alternative is moche, which is informal and used for almost anything—clothes, weather, objects, or even situations. If you want to be more descriptive about physical appearance, disgracieuse is a more polite and formal way to say someone or something lacks grace or beauty. For something that is not just ugly but truly repulsive or terrifying, you might use hideuse (hideous) or affreuse (awful/dreadful). If something is poorly made or 'tacky', the word vilaine can be used, though 'vilaine' also means 'naughty' when describing a child. In a literary or artistic context, difforme (deformed) or ingrate (unpleasing/unfavorable) are often used to describe features that are not aesthetically pleasing. Understanding these distinctions allows you to tailor your language to the situation. While 'laide' is a broad, powerful adjective, these alternatives offer a spectrum of intensity and formality that will make your French sound more natural and sophisticated.

Laide vs. Moche: 'Laide' is standard/formal; 'moche' is informal/slang. 'Moche' is more common in daily speech.

Laide vs. Affreuse: 'Affreuse' is much stronger, suggesting something that causes a visceral reaction or horror.

Laide vs. Vilaine: 'Vilaine' can mean ugly, but it also carries connotations of being 'naughty' or 'wicked'.

Cette robe est moche, ne l'achète pas ! (Informal)

Elle a une voix disgracieuse qui irrite les oreilles. (Polite/Formal)

La sorcière avait une apparence hideuse. (Extreme)

C'est une vilaine blessure que tu as là. (Unpleasant/Painful)

La nature peut parfois être ingrate. (Unpleasing/Hard)

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In English, the word 'loath' and 'loathe' share the same ancient Germanic root as 'laide'. So, when you call something 'laide', you are historically calling it 'loathsome'!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /lɛd/

US /lɛd/

The stress is equal on the syllable, but the final 'd' should be crisp.

Reimt sich auf

aide (help) raide (stiff) plaide (pleads) tiède (lukewarm - partial rhyme) cède (yields) possède (possesses) remède (remedy) intermède (interlude)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it like 'laid' (masculine) without the 'd' sound.
Nasalizing the vowel sound (it is not a nasal vowel).
Adding an extra vowel sound at the end (it should not be 'lay-duh').
Confusing the pronunciation with 'l'aide' (which is identical).
Making the 'ai' sound too much like 'ay' in 'play'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, usually follows the noun.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires attention to gender agreement and spelling.

Sprechen 3/5

Need to remember to pronounce the final 'd' for feminine.

Hören 4/5

Can be confused with 'l'aide' (help) in rapid speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

belle femme maison robe être

Als Nächstes lernen

laideur moche affreuse hideuse enlaidir

Fortgeschritten

grotesque disgracieuse ingrate difformité

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

La voiture (f) est laide (f).

Adjective Placement

Une maison laide (after the noun).

Pluralization

Les robes sont laides.

Comparison

Elle est plus laide que...

Adverbs of Intensity

Elle est vraiment laide.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

La robe est laide.

The dress is ugly.

Feminine singular agreement.

Elle a une petite voiture laide.

She has a small ugly car.

The adjective follows the noun 'voiture'.

La pomme est vieille et laide.

The apple is old and ugly.

Two adjectives modifying one feminine noun.

Ma chambre est laide sans fleurs.

My room is ugly without flowers.

Predicate adjective after 'est'.

C'est une laide couleur.

It is an ugly color.

Here, 'laide' is placed before the noun for emphasis.

La table est laide et cassée.

The table is ugly and broken.

Feminine singular agreement.

Cette peinture est vraiment laide.

This painting is really ugly.

Use of the adverb 'vraiment'.

La chaise est laide mais confortable.

The chair is ugly but comfortable.

Contrast using 'mais'.

La météo est laide aujourd'hui.

The weather is ugly today.

Using 'laide' to describe weather.

C'est une ville laide et grise.

It is an ugly and gray city.

Multiple adjectives after the noun.

Sa nouvelle cravate est un peu laide.

His new tie is a bit ugly.

Intensity with 'un peu'.

Je ne veux pas porter cette veste laide.

I don't want to wear this ugly jacket.

Demonstrative adjective 'cette'.

La cuisine est laide car elle est sale.

The kitchen is ugly because it is dirty.

Causal conjunction 'car'.

Elle trouve cette statue très laide.

She finds this statue very ugly.

Verb 'trouver' + adjective.

La vue par la fenêtre est laide.

The view from the window is ugly.

Noun phrase 'la vue' is feminine.

Cette rue est plus laide que la mienne.

This street is uglier than mine.

Comparative structure 'plus... que'.

C'est une laide action de mentir ainsi.

It is an ugly act to lie like that.

Moral usage of the adjective.

La laide vérité a fini par éclater.

The ugly truth finally came out.

Idiomatic abstract usage.

Elle a une laide cicatrice sur le bras.

She has an ugly scar on her arm.

Describing a physical defect.

Cette situation est devenue vraiment laide.

This situation has become really ugly.

Describing a conflict or situation.

La maison paraissait laide sous la lune.

The house appeared ugly under the moon.

Verb of perception 'paraître'.

Il n'y a pas de laide femme, seulement des femmes qui s'ignorent.

There are no ugly women, only women who ignore themselves.

General statement using 'pas de'.

L'architecture de ce bâtiment est assez laide.

The architecture of this building is quite ugly.

Abstract noun 'architecture'.

Sa jalousie est une laide émotion.

Her jealousy is an ugly emotion.

Describing an internal state.

Laide à faire peur, elle hantait les bois.

Ugly enough to scare, she haunted the woods.

Idiomatic expression 'laide à faire peur'.

C'est une laide besogne que de nettoyer cela.

It's an ugly/dirty task to clean that.

Placement before the noun for emphasis.

La laideur de la scène l'a profondément choqué.

The ugliness of the scene shocked him deeply.

Noun form 'laideur' related to 'laide'.

Elle se sentait laide et rejetée par tous.

She felt ugly and rejected by everyone.

Adjective describing a subjective feeling.

L'histoire est pleine de laides trahisons.

History is full of ugly betrayals.

Plural feminine agreement.

La peinture, bien que laide, était très chère.

The painting, although ugly, was very expensive.

Concessive clause with 'bien que'.

Elle a une écriture laide et illisible.

She has ugly and illegible handwriting.

Describing a skill or output.

Cette laide affaire a ruiné sa réputation.

This ugly affair ruined his reputation.

Metaphorical usage for a scandal.

Une laide grimace déforma son visage.

An ugly grimace distorted her face.

Literary placement and vocabulary.

Elle fuyait la laide réalité de son quotidien.

She fled the ugly reality of her daily life.

Abstract literary usage.

C'est une œuvre d'une laideur délibérée.

It is a work of deliberate ugliness.

Discussing artistic intent.

Laide comme un pou, elle n'en avait cure.

Ugly as a louse, she didn't care at all.

Idiom 'laide comme un pou'.

Il y a une certaine beauté dans cette laide architecture.

There is a certain beauty in this ugly architecture.

Paradoxical aesthetic judgment.

La ville, laide et tentaculaire, l'oppressait.

The city, ugly and sprawling, oppressed him.

Appositive adjectives.

Elle portait en elle une laide blessure secrète.

She carried within her an ugly secret wound.

Metaphorical inner state.

Rien n'est plus laide qu'une âme corrompue.

Nothing is uglier than a corrupted soul.

Philosophical comparison.

L'esthétique de la laideur fut explorée par les romantiques.

The aesthetics of ugliness was explored by the Romantics.

Academic art history context.

Sa prose, volontairement laide, heurtait le lecteur.

Her prose, intentionally ugly, jarred the reader.

Stylistic analysis.

Elle incarnait cette laideur sublime chère à Baudelaire.

She embodied that sublime ugliness dear to Baudelaire.

Literary reference.

La laideur n'est qu'un manque de lumière intérieure.

Ugliness is but a lack of inner light.

Philosophical definition.

Cette laide polémique a terni l'image de l'institution.

This ugly controversy tarnished the institution's image.

Formal institutional context.

Elle refusait de céder à la laide tentation du profit.

She refused to give in to the ugly temptation of profit.

Ethical/Moral usage.

Laide et magnifique à la fois, la bête attendait.

Ugly and magnificent at once, the beast waited.

Oxymoronic description.

La vérité, dans toute sa laide nudité, fut révélée.

The truth, in all its ugly nakedness, was revealed.

Advanced metaphorical structure.

Häufige Kollokationen

une laide action

la laide vérité

une laide cicatrice

une laide habitude

laide à faire peur

une laide grimace

une laide affaire

devenir laide

paraître laide

une laide pensée

Häufige Phrasen

C'est laide !

— That's ugly! Used to express immediate dislike for something feminine.

Regarde cette affiche, c'est laide !

Laide comme un pou

— Ugly as a louse. A common way to say someone is very unattractive.

Elle est gentille, mais elle est laide comme un pou.

Laide comme un singe

— Ugly as a monkey. Another common comparison for extreme ugliness.

Sa nouvelle chienne est laide comme un singe, mais adorable.

Laide comme les sept péchés capitaux

— Ugly as the seven deadly sins. Used for something profoundly ugly.

Cette statue est laide comme les sept péchés capitaux.

Une laide besogne

— An ugly/dirty task. Used for work that is unpleasant or morally questionable.

Il a dû faire la laide besogne de licencier le personnel.

Laide à voir

— Ugly to look at. Emphasizes the visual displeasure.

Cette blessure est vraiment laide à voir.

Pas si laide

— Not so ugly. A way to moderate the judgment.

Finalement, cette peinture n'est pas si laide.

Rendre laide

— To make ugly. Used for things that spoil beauty.

La colère la rend laide.

Se trouver laide

— To find oneself ugly. Used for self-perception.

Elle se trouve laide sur toutes les photos.

Une laide rumeur

— An ugly rumor. Used for malicious gossip.

Une laide rumeur circule sur son compte.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

laide vs l'aide

A noun meaning 'help'. Pronounced the same as 'laide'.

laide vs laid

The masculine form. The 'd' is silent in 'laid' but pronounced in 'laide'.

laide vs lait

Milk. Pronounced /lɛ/, same as 'laid', but different from 'laide'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Laide comme un pou"

— Extremely unattractive. Comparing a person to a louse is a traditional French way to denote ugliness.

Pauvre Marie, elle est laide comme un pou.

informal

"Laide à faire peur"

— So ugly that it is frightening. Used for dramatic effect.

Elle a mis un masque qui la rend laide à faire peur.

neutral

"Laide comme un singe"

— Very ugly. Similar to the English 'ugly as a monkey'.

Son frère est beau, mais elle est laide comme un singe.

informal

"Laide comme un derrière"

— Ugly as a backside. Very vulgar and informal.

Cette voiture est laide comme un derrière.

slang

"Laide comme un thon"

— Ugly as a tuna. Specifically used for women in slang.

Elle est sortie avec un vrai thon (une fille laide).

slang

"Laide comme un boudin"

— Ugly as a blood sausage. Another derogatory slang term for a woman.

Je ne comprends pas pourquoi il sort avec ce boudin.

slang

"Laide comme un crapaud"

— Ugly as a toad. Focuses on a bumpy or unpleasant appearance.

Elle est laide comme un crapaud avec tous ses boutons.

informal

"Une laide vérité"

— A harsh or unpleasant fact that people prefer to ignore.

C'est la laide vérité sur notre économie.

neutral

"Laide comme un pou de bois"

— A variation of 'laide comme un pou', emphasizing the smallness and unpleasantness.

Elle est devenue laide comme un pou de bois en vieillissant.

informal

"Laide à en pleurer"

— So ugly it makes you want to cry. High hyperbole.

La décoration de cette salle est laide à en pleurer.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

laide vs moche

Both mean ugly.

Moche is informal and used for everything. Laide is more formal and can be more insulting.

Cette robe est moche (casual) vs Cette robe est laide (more critical).

laide vs vilaine

Both can mean unattractive.

Vilaine often implies being naughty or a minor unpleasantness. Laide is purely about ugliness.

Une vilaine fille (naughty girl) vs Une fille laide (unattractive girl).

laide vs sale

Dirty things are often ugly.

Sale means dirty. Laide means unattractive. A clean thing can be laide.

La nappe est sale (needs washing) vs La nappe est laide (bad design).

laide vs affreuse

Both describe negative appearance.

Affreuse is much stronger and suggests horror or extreme dislike.

Une laide cicatrice (ugly) vs Une affreuse cicatrice (horrible).

laide vs disgracieuse

Both mean not pretty.

Disgracieuse is more about lacking grace or being awkward.

Une démarche laide (ugly) vs Une démarche disgracieuse (awkward).

Satzmuster

La [noun] est laide.

La table est laide.

C'est une [noun] laide.

C'est une voiture laide.

Je trouve cette [noun] laide.

Je trouve cette peinture laide.

Une laide [abstract noun].

Une laide action.

Laide à [verb]...

Laide à faire peur.

Plus laide que...

Cette ville est plus laide que Paris.

D'une [noun] laide...

Elle a agi d'une manière laide.

[Adjective] et laide...

Sublime et laide à la fois.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

laideur (ugliness)

laidron (derogatory term for an ugly girl)

Verben

enlaidir (to make ugly or to become ugly)

Adjektive

laid (masculine singular)

laides (feminine plural)

laids (masculine plural)

Verwandt

beauté

moche

esthétique

disgrâce

difformité

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in written French; moderately common in spoken French.

Häufige Fehler

C'est un laide voiture. → C'est une laide voiture.
The article must also be feminine to match 'voiture' and 'laide'.
Elle est laid. → Elle est laide.
You must use the feminine form 'laide' for the subject 'elle'.
J'ai besoin de laide. → J'ai besoin de l'aide.
You are confusing the adjective 'laide' (ugly) with the noun 'l'aide' (help).
Une laideur action. → Une laide action.
You used the noun 'laideur' (ugliness) instead of the adjective 'laide'.
Ces maisons sont laide. → Ces maisons sont laides.
The adjective must agree in number (plural) with the noun 'maisons'.

Tipps

Agreement is Key

Always look at the noun. If it's feminine, add that 'e' and pronounce the 'd'!

Be Careful with People

Calling a woman 'laide' is very offensive. Use 'pas très jolie' instead to be polite.

Use 'Moche' for Objects

If you are talking about a phone, a car, or a shirt, 'moche' sounds much more like a native speaker.

The Silent 'e' Rule

The 'e' in 'laide' is silent, but its job is to wake up the 'd'. Don't forget to say the 'd'!

Abstract Meanings

Remember that 'laide' isn't just for looks. A 'laide action' is a bad thing someone did.

Ugly as a Louse

Learn 'laide comme un pou' to sound very French when describing something truly hideous.

Placement for Style

Put 'laide' before the noun in a story to make it sound more dramatic or poetic.

Context for Homophones

If you hear /lɛd/, check if the person is asking for help (l'aide) or describing something (laide).

Degree of Ugliness

Use 'affreuse' if 'laide' isn't strong enough. It shows you have a rich vocabulary.

Visual Cues

Associate 'laide' with an 'e' for 'Elle' to remember it's the feminine form.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Laid-e' (Lady) who is 'Laide' (Ugly). It helps you remember that 'laide' is the feminine form because of the 'e' at the end.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a very 'laide' (ugly) 'aide' (assistant) helping someone. The words sound the same, so visualize the person to remember the adjective.

Word Web

laideur laid moche affreuse hideuse belle jolie enlaidir

Herausforderung

Try to find three feminine objects in your room and describe them as 'laide' or 'belle'. Then, try to think of one 'laide action' you saw in the news today.

Wortherkunft

The word 'laide' comes from the Old French 'laid', which is derived from the Frankish word '*laid*', meaning 'loathsome', 'hateful', or 'unpleasant'. It entered the French language during the early Middle Ages as part of the Germanic influence on Gallo-Romance.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally, it meant something that caused hatred or was morally repulsive, rather than just visually unattractive.

Indo-European > Germanic > Frankish > Old French.

Kultureller Kontext

Be extremely careful when using 'laide' to describe people. It is considered very rude and hurtful. Use 'moche' for objects and 'pas belle' for people if you must be negative.

English speakers often use 'ugly' more casually than French people use 'laide'. In English, you might say 'that's an ugly shirt' without much thought, but in French, saying 'cette chemise est laide' sounds like a very strong, definitive judgment.

La Belle et la Bête (The Beast is 'laid'). Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). Baudelaire's 'Une Charogne' (A poem about the beauty in a decaying, 'laide' corpse).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Fashion and Clothing

Cette robe est laide.
Une laide couleur.
Une coupe laide.
Des chaussures laides.

Moral Judgments

Une laide action.
Une laide pensée.
Une laide trahison.
C'est laide de faire ça.

Art and Design

Une peinture laide.
Une architecture laide.
Une statue laide.
C'est esthétiquement laide.

Weather and Environment

Une laide journée.
Une ville laide.
Une rue laide.
La météo est laide.

Physical Description

Une laide cicatrice.
Une laide grimace.
Elle se trouve laide.
Une figure laide.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Tu ne trouves pas que cette affiche est un peu laide ?"

"Quelle est la chose la plus laide que tu aies jamais vue ?"

"Penses-tu qu'une action peut être plus laide qu'un visage ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves cette couleur laide pour un salon ?"

"Pourquoi certaines personnes aiment-elles les choses laides ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris une situation où tu as dû dire la laide vérité à quelqu'un.

Y a-t-il un bâtiment dans ta ville que tu trouves vraiment laide ? Pourquoi ?

Réfléchis à une 'laide habitude' que tu aimerais changer.

Est-ce que la laideur peut être intéressante dans l'art ? Donne un exemple.

Décris une journée où la météo était si laide que tu n'as pas voulu sortir.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

When used for a person, yes, it is almost always a strong insult. However, when used for objects, weather, or actions, it is simply a descriptive adjective. In art, 'laide' can even be used to describe something interesting or powerful.

'Laid' is masculine singular, and 'laide' is feminine singular. In 'laid', the 'd' is silent (/lɛ/), while in 'laide', the 'd' is pronounced (/lɛd/). You must use 'laide' with feminine nouns like 'une voiture' or 'une femme'.

If the group is all women, use 'laides'. If there is at least one man, use 'laids'. Both are plural forms. The pronunciation of 'laides' is the same as 'laide'.

In daily conversation with friends, 'moche' is much more natural. 'Laide' sounds a bit more formal or like you are making a very serious judgment. 'Moche' is also safer because it doesn't change for gender.

It means 'the ugly truth'. It is used to describe a fact that is unpleasant or difficult to accept, just like the English expression.

You can say 'très laide' or 'vraiment laide'. If you want to be even stronger, you can use 'affreuse' or 'hideuse'.

No, for a man you must use the masculine form 'laid'. 'Laide' is strictly for feminine subjects.

Yes, sometimes designers create 'laides' things on purpose to be 'edgy' or 'avant-garde'. This is sometimes called 'ugly-chic'.

Usually, yes. 'Une maison laide'. However, it can come before the noun for stylistic emphasis, especially in literature: 'une laide créature'.

The most common opposite is 'belle' (beautiful) or 'jolie' (pretty).

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