When you're just starting out in French, one of the first adjectives you'll learn is laid. It means 'ugly' when you're talking about a masculine singular noun. Think of it as a basic descriptive word.
For example, you could say un homme laid (an ugly man) or un chat laid (an ugly cat). It's a straightforward word to help you describe things in French.
When you're describing something as ugly in French, you'll often use the word "laid." It's an adjective, so it needs to agree with the noun it describes. Since "laid" ends in a 'd', for feminine nouns, you'll add an 'e' to make it "laide." For example, "un homme laid" means "an ugly man," and "une femme laide" means "an ugly woman." If you're talking about multiple ugly things, you'll add an 's' for plural, so it becomes "laids" for masculine plural and "laides" for feminine plural. It's a straightforward word to use once you get the hang of the agreement!
When we describe something or someone as ugly in French, we often use the adjective laid.
It's important to remember that adjectives in French change their form to agree with the noun they describe in terms of gender and number. So, laid is the masculine singular form.
For example, if you're talking about an ugly man, you would say un homme laid.
Keep an eye out for its other forms: laide (feminine singular), laids (masculine plural), and laides (feminine plural).
laid en 30 segundos
- Ugly (masculine singular)
- Opposite of 'beau' (beautiful)
- Used for appearance
§ Don't Forget Gender and Number
The biggest mistake English speakers make with "laid" is forgetting that adjectives in French change based on the noun they describe. "Laid" means ugly, but it's specifically the masculine singular form. French nouns have a gender (masculine or feminine) and a number (singular or plural), and the adjective has to match. This is a fundamental concept in French grammar, and it applies to almost all adjectives. If you say "une homme laid" (a man ugly) instead of "un homme laid," it's a minor error. However, if you say "une voiture laid" (a car ugly) instead of "une voiture laide," you're using the wrong gender for the adjective.
§ The Feminine Form: "Laide"
When describing a feminine singular noun as ugly, you need to use "laide." You add an 'e' to the end of "laid." This is a very common pattern for forming the feminine of adjectives in French. Forgetting this 'e' is a dead giveaway that you're an English speaker learning French. It's a small change, but it makes a big difference to how natural your French sounds.
- DEFINITION
- Ugly (feminine singular)
Cette robe est laide.
Hint: That dress is ugly.
§ The Plural Forms: "Laids" and "Laides"
When describing multiple ugly things, you'll need to use the plural forms. For masculine plural nouns, you add an 's' to "laid" to get "laids." For feminine plural nouns, you add an 's' to "laide" to get "laides." Again, this follows a very common pattern in French for making adjectives plural. Missing the 's' for plural is a common error, but it's easily corrected with practice.
- DEFINITION
- Ugly (masculine plural)
Ces chiens sont laids.
Hint: These dogs are ugly.
- DEFINITION
- Ugly (feminine plural)
Les voitures sont laides.
Hint: The cars are ugly.
§ Forgetting Agreement with "Être"
When you use "laid" with the verb "être" (to be), it still needs to agree in gender and number with the subject of the verb. For example, if you say "Il est laid" (He is ugly), "laid" is masculine singular because "il" (he) is masculine singular. If you say "Elle est laide" (She is ugly), "laide" is feminine singular because "elle" (she) is feminine singular. This seems obvious when pointed out, but in the flow of speaking, it's easy to default to the masculine singular form.
Ils sont laids.
Hint: They (masculine) are ugly.
Elles sont laides.
Hint: They (feminine) are ugly.
§ Confusing "Laid" with "Sale"
Sometimes learners confuse "laid" (ugly) with "sale" (dirty). While both can describe something undesirable, their meanings are distinct. "Laid" refers to appearance, whereas "sale" refers to cleanliness. Make sure you're using the right word for the right situation.
- DEFINITION
- Dirty (adjective)
Le chien est sale.
Hint: The dog is dirty.
Not: The dog is ugly.
§ Overusing "Laid"
Just like in English, there are many ways to express that something isn't beautiful. While "laid" is a direct translation of "ugly," try to expand your vocabulary with synonyms or less direct expressions to make your French more nuanced and natural. This isn't exactly a "mistake" but more of a tip for sounding more like a native speaker.
Désagréable à regarder: unpleasant to look at
Peu esthétique: not aesthetic
Affreux/Affreuse: dreadful, awful
Hideux/Hideuse: hideous
Ce tableau est hideux.
Hint: This painting is hideous.
How Formal Is It?
"Ce bâtiment ancien est jugé laid par beaucoup de monde. (This old building is considered ugly by many people.)"
"Je trouve cette couleur un peu moche. (I find this color a bit ugly.)"
"C'est un vilain petit canard, mais il est adorable. (He's an ugly duckling, but he's adorable.)"
"Oh non, ton dessin est tout cra-cra ! (Oh no, your drawing is all yucky/ugly!)"
"Cette peinture est vraiment dégueu. (This painting is really gross/ugly.)"
Dato curioso
The English word 'loath' (as in 'loathsome') shares a common Germanic root with 'laid'.
Guía de pronunciación
- Mispronouncing the 'ai' as in 'paid' instead of a short 'e' sound.
Nivel de dificultad
short and common
short and easy to spell
common pronunciation
clear sound
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Ejemplos por nivel
Le tableau abstrait qu'il a acheté était vraiment laid à mes yeux, mais il l'adorait.
The abstract painting he bought was really ugly in my eyes, but he loved it.
Elle trouvait que son nouveau chapeau était un peu laid, mais elle l'a gardé parce qu'il était pratique.
She found her new hat a bit ugly, but she kept it because it was practical.
Malgré sa façade un peu laide, l'ancien bâtiment abritait un intérieur magnifique et bien rénové.
Despite its somewhat ugly facade, the old building housed a magnificent and well-renovated interior.
Les critiques ont qualifié le film de laid et ennuyeux, mais il a tout de même trouvé un public fidèle.
Critics called the film ugly and boring, but it still found a loyal audience.
Je ne comprends pas comment il peut porter ce pull si laid; il n'a vraiment aucun sens du style.
I don't understand how he can wear that ugly sweater; he really has no sense of style.
L'artiste a intentionnellement créé une sculpture un peu laide pour provoquer une réaction chez les spectateurs.
The artist intentionally created a somewhat ugly sculpture to provoke a reaction in viewers.
Quand il a vu le gâteau, il a dit qu'il était laid, mais il a avoué qu'il était délicieux après la première bouchée.
When he saw the cake, he said it was ugly, but he admitted it was delicious after the first bite.
La tempête a laissé un paysage laid et dévasté, mais les habitants ont commencé à reconstruire avec courage.
The storm left an ugly and devastated landscape, but the inhabitants began to rebuild with courage.
Se confunde a menudo con
The opposite of 'laid' for feminine nouns. 'Belle' means beautiful.
The opposite of 'laid' for masculine nouns. 'Beau' means beautiful.
Another French word for 'ugly', often used in more informal contexts. It doesn't change for gender.
Fácil de confundir
This word can be confusing for English speakers because of its pronunciation and its direct translation. It sounds a bit like the English 'laid', but means 'ugly'.
'Laid' specifically means 'ugly'. It's an adjective used to describe something or someone visually unappealing.
Le chien est laid. (The dog is ugly.)
This is the feminine singular form of 'laid'. Learners might get confused about when to use 'laid' vs. 'laide'.
'Laide' is used when describing a feminine noun. Adjectives in French agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
La table est laide. (The table is ugly.)
This is the masculine plural form. Knowing when to add an 's' for plural is a common point of confusion.
'Laids' is used when describing multiple masculine nouns.
Les garçons sont laids. (The boys are ugly.)
This is the feminine plural form. Again, the pluralization and gender agreement can be tricky.
'Laides' is used when describing multiple feminine nouns.
Les fleurs sont laides. (The flowers are ugly.)
This word sounds identical to 'laid' but has a completely different meaning.
'Lait' means 'milk'. It's a common noun.
Je bois du lait. (I drink milk.)
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
The word 'laid' sounds a bit like 'laid' as in 'laid out flat.' Imagine something ugly laid out flat on the ground. (This is a bit silly, but sometimes the silliest mnemonics stick the best!)
Asociación visual
Picture a very 'laid-back' or lazy person, and in your mind, associate that image with something you personally find 'ugly.' For example, imagine a 'lazy, ugly dog' or a 'lazy, ugly couch.'
Word Web
Desafío
Describe five things around you using 'laid' or 'laide' (remembering to match the gender!). For example: 'Ce livre est laid.' (This book is ugly.) 'Cette chaise est laide.' (This chair is ugly.)
Origen de la palabra
Old French
Significado original: Unpleasant, disgusting
Proto-GermanicContexto cultural
In French, like in many languages, describing something or someone as 'laid' can be quite direct and, depending on the context, potentially offensive. It's often used for physical appearance. While it directly translates to 'ugly,' understanding the nuance of its usage in social situations is important.
Ponte a prueba 24 preguntas
The dog is ugly.
This hat is ugly.
My book is ugly.
Read this aloud:
Le garçon est laid.
Focus: laid
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
C'est un objet laid.
Focus: objet laid
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
Un monstre laid.
Focus: monstre laid
Dijiste:
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Le monstre était vraiment ___. (The monster was really ugly.)
The noun 'monstre' is masculine singular, so the masculine singular adjective 'laid' is needed.
Ce tableau est si ___ que personne ne veut l'acheter. (This painting is so ugly that no one wants to buy it.)
The noun 'tableau' is masculine singular, so the masculine singular adjective 'laid' is needed.
Il a dit que le chat était ___, mais je le trouve mignon. (He said the cat was ugly, but I find it cute.)
The noun 'chat' is masculine singular, so the masculine singular adjective 'laid' is needed.
Je pense que ce pull est un peu ___. (I think this sweater is a bit ugly.)
The noun 'pull' (sweater) is masculine singular, so the masculine singular adjective 'laid' is needed.
As-tu vu le nouveau film ? Le personnage principal est très ___. (Have you seen the new movie? The main character is very ugly.)
The noun 'personnage principal' (main character) can be masculine or feminine, but in this context, 'très' implies an adjective that agrees with the assumed masculine 'personnage'.
Mon frère a acheté un chapeau vraiment ___. (My brother bought a really ugly hat.)
The noun 'chapeau' is masculine singular, so the masculine singular adjective 'laid' is needed.
Choose the correct feminine singular form of 'laid'.
To make 'laid' feminine singular, you add an 'e'. So, 'laid' becomes 'laide'.
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'laid'?
The word 'laid' is masculine singular. 'Le chat' (the cat) is masculine singular, so it matches. 'La voiture' (the car) is feminine, 'Les chiens' (the dogs) is plural, and 'Elles' (they, feminine) is plural.
How would you describe a 'bad' dream using 'laid'?
'Rêve' (dream) is masculine singular. Therefore, 'laid' is the correct form.
The word 'laid' can be used to describe a bad habit.
Yes, 'laid' can figuratively mean 'nasty' or 'bad' when referring to things like habits or weather. For example, 'une sale habitude' (a bad habit) or 'un sale temps' (bad weather).
The plural feminine form of 'laid' is 'laids'.
The plural feminine form of 'laid' is 'laides' (add 'e' for feminine, then 's' for plural). 'Laids' is the plural masculine form.
If you are describing 'des chaussures' (shoes), you should use 'laid'.
'Chaussures' is feminine plural, so you would use 'laides' to describe them (ugly shoes).
Focus on understanding the nuance of 'ugly' in an artistic context.
Listen for how 'laid' is used to describe an industrial scene.
Consider the contrast between perceived ugliness and artistic beauty.
Read this aloud:
Le personnage principal était dépeint comme laid et repoussant, mais son cœur était pur.
Focus: laid, repoussant, pur
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
Certains critiques ont qualifié l'architecture moderne de laid, manquant d'ornementation et de chaleur.
Focus: qualifié, architecture, moderne, laid, ornementation, chaleur
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Il est souvent dit que la beauté est subjective, ce qui est laid pour l'un est magnifique pour l'autre.
Focus: subjective, laid, magnifique
Dijiste:
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/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Remember that 'laid' is the masculine singular form for 'ugly'; it changes with gender and number.
- Ugly (masculine singular)
- Opposite of 'beau' (beautiful)
- Used for appearance
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