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A2 adjective #3,500 most common 13 min read

exigeant

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips exigeant in 30 Seconds

Explanation exigeant in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can understand 'exigeant' as a way to describe people who are 'not easy' or who want things to be 'very good.' You might use it to describe a teacher or a boss. Think of it as 'hard' or 'strict.' For example: 'Mon professeur est exigeant' (My teacher is demanding). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex nuances. Just remember that it usually comes after the person you are talking about. You should also start to notice that it changes slightly if you are talking about a woman: 'Ma mère est exigeante.' It is a useful word to express that someone expects you to work hard. You can also use it to describe a simple task that takes a lot of energy, like 'Le sport est exigeant.' Even at a basic level, using this word makes your French sound more natural than just using 'difficile' all the time. It shows you understand that some things are hard because they have high standards, not just because they are impossible to do.

At the A2 level, you should begin to use 'exigeant' to describe both people and activities. You are learning to talk about your work and your daily life in more detail. You might say, 'J'ai un travail exigeant' (I have a demanding job) to explain why you are tired in the evening. You can also use it to talk about hobbies: 'Apprendre le français est exigeant mais intéressant.' At this level, you should be comfortable with the feminine form 'exigeante' and the plural forms 'exigeants' and 'exigeantes.' You will also start to see the word in advertisements or on TV, often referring to 'des clients exigeants' (demanding customers). This is a great word to use when you want to be more specific than 'dur' or 'difficile.' It adds a layer of 'high quality' or 'high expectations' to your descriptions. You might also start using it with the preposition 'envers,' such as 'Il est exigeant envers lui-même' (He is demanding toward himself). This is a common phrase to describe someone who works very hard to be perfect.

At the B1 level, you can use 'exigeant' to discuss character traits and professional standards with more nuance. You understand that being 'exigeant' can be both a positive and a negative quality. For instance, in a job interview, you might say, 'Je suis exigeant envers moi-même' to show that you are a serious worker who cares about quality. You can also use it to describe abstract concepts like 'un public exigeant' or 'une discipline exigeante.' You should be able to distinguish 'exigeant' from its synonyms like 'rigoureux' or 'sévère.' You are now able to form more complex sentences, such as 'Bien que ce projet soit exigeant, je suis sûr que nous réussirons' (Although this project is demanding, I am sure we will succeed). You will also encounter the noun form 'l'exigence' and should understand how they relate. At this level, 'exigeant' becomes a key word for describing the pressures and standards of modern life, from social media expectations to environmental standards.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'exigeant' in all its contexts—professional, academic, and personal. You can use it to argue a point or describe complex situations. For example, you might discuss how 'les normes environnementales deviennent de plus en plus exigeantes' (environmental standards are becoming more and more demanding). You understand the cultural weight of the word in France, where 'l'exigence' is often associated with the 'élite' and high-level craftsmanship. You can use the word to describe subtle differences in tone: 'Il n'est pas méchant, il est juste très exigeant sur la qualité du code.' You should also be comfortable using it in the superlative and with various adverbs of intensity. You can read articles in newspapers like *Le Monde* or *Le Figaro* and understand when they use 'exigeant' to describe a political situation or a difficult economic climate. Your usage should reflect an understanding that 'exigeant' implies a necessity for excellence and a refusal of the 'à-peu-près' (the 'good enough').

At the C1 level, 'exigeant' is a word you use with precision and stylistic flair. You can use it in literary or philosophical discussions. You might analyze a text by saying, 'Le style de l'auteur est exigeant, car il demande une attention constante du lecteur' (The author's style is demanding because it requires constant attention from the reader). You are aware of the word's etymology (from the Latin 'exigere') and how it connects to other words like 'exigu' or 'exact.' You can use 'exigeant' to describe complex social dynamics, such as the 'exigences' of modern parenthood or the demanding nature of high-level diplomacy. You can also use it ironically or to critique a situation: 'Nous vivons dans une société de plus en plus exigeante, mais de moins en moins indulgente.' At this level, you should be able to use the word in formal writing, such as a 'lettre de motivation' or a professional report, to convey a sense of high standards and professional rigor without sounding arrogant. You understand that 'exigeant' is a hallmark of 'la haute culture' and professional excellence in the Francophone world.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for the word 'exigeant.' You can use it to capture the finest nuances of meaning in any context. You might use it in a speech to describe 'une vision exigeante de la citoyenneté' (a demanding vision of citizenship) or in a technical manual to describe the 'exigences' of a complex engineering system. You understand how the word interacts with other high-level vocabulary and can use it to create sophisticated rhetorical effects. You can distinguish between 'un esprit exigeant' (a demanding mind) and 'un esprit étroit' (a narrow mind), explaining the intellectual depth implied by the former. You are also familiar with the word's presence in French literature and can discuss how authors like Proust or Flaubert were 'exigeants' in their quest for the 'mot juste.' Your mastery of the word includes its use in various registers, from the highly formal to the subtly informal, always choosing the form that best fits the social and linguistic context. You can navigate the fine line between 'exigeant' as a virtue and 'exigeant' as a burden, using the word to explore the complexities of human ambition and excellence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

exigeant in 30 Seconds

Exigeant means demanding or having high standards, used for both people and difficult tasks.
It changes to exigeante for feminine nouns and adds an 's' for plural forms.
It is often a positive trait in professional contexts, implying a drive for excellence and quality.
Commonly used in cooking, education, and luxury industries to describe high expectations.

The French adjective exigeant (masculine) and exigeante (feminine) is a multifaceted word that English speakers often translate as 'demanding,' 'exacting,' or 'fastidious.' At its core, it describes a person, a role, or a situation that requires a high level of effort, precision, or attention. In French culture, being exigeant is not necessarily a negative trait; it often implies a commitment to excellence and a refusal to accept mediocrity. When you call a teacher exigeant, you are acknowledging that they have high standards for their students. When you describe a task as exigeante, you are noting that it will test your skills and patience to the limit. It is a word rooted in the verb exiger, meaning 'to demand' or 'to require.'

The Professional Context: In the workplace, an 'un patron exigeant' is a boss who expects perfection. They might scrutinize every detail of a report or expect long hours of dedication. While this can be stressful, it is often framed in French professional discourse as a drive for 'la qualité' and 'la rigueur.' It is common to see this word in job descriptions, where a role might be described as 'un poste exigeant qui demande une grande autonomie' (a demanding position that requires great autonomy).

Mon professeur de piano est très exigeant, mais j'ai fait énormément de progrès grâce à lui.

Beyond people, the word applies to physical and mental activities. A sport like gymnastics is exigeant because it requires strength, flexibility, and mental focus. A scientific project is exigeant because it demands rigorous methodology. In the world of gastronomy, French chefs are famously exigeants regarding the quality of their ingredients. This cultural nuance is vital: being 'exigeant' is often seen as the hallmark of a professional who respects their craft. If a chef is not exigeant, the food might be 'correct' but never 'exceptionnel.'

The Social Context: In social or romantic relationships, the word can take on a more critical tone. Someone who is 'trop exigeant' (too demanding) might be seen as difficult to please or high-maintenance. For example, 'Elle est très exigeante en amitié' suggests she expects a lot from her friends, perhaps more than they can give. Here, the word moves from 'high standards' toward 'pickiness' or 'intolerance.'

La randonnée en haute montagne est une activité exigeante pour le corps.

Historically, the word carries the weight of the French educational system's rigor. From a young age, French students are taught that 'le travail bien fait' (work well done) requires an exigeance envers soi-même (demanding nature toward oneself). This internal drive is what the adjective describes when applied to character. It is the opposite of being 'laxiste' (lax or easy-going). To be exigeant is to refuse the easy path in favor of the correct one.

Consumer Standards: You will often hear this in advertising. Brands target 'une clientèle exigeante' (a demanding clientele). This implies that the customers have refined taste and will only buy the best. It transforms the potential negativity of being 'demanding' into a sign of sophistication and high status.

Ce logiciel est conçu pour les utilisateurs les plus exigeants.

Elle est devenue très exigeante sur la propreté de sa maison.

Using exigeant correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that modifies nouns. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For a masculine singular noun, use exigeant. For a feminine singular noun, add an 'e' to get exigeante. For plurals, add 's' (exigeants or exigeantes). The placement of the adjective is typically after the noun, though it can appear after a linking verb like être (to be) or paraître (to seem).

Describing People: When describing a person, you are usually talking about their personality or their standards. 'Mon père est un homme exigeant' (My father is a demanding man). This suggests he expects a lot from himself and others. If you say 'Le public français est exigeant,' you are suggesting that French audiences have high expectations for art or performance.

C'est un entraîneur exigeant qui ne tolère aucun retard.

When describing tasks or objects, the word shifts slightly toward 'tough' or 'difficult.' For example, 'un travail exigeant' is a job that takes a lot out of you. 'Une discipline exigeante' is a field of study that requires constant focus. In these cases, the word highlights the inherent difficulty of the thing itself, rather than the personality of a person. You might say, 'La langue chinoise est très exigeante en termes de mémorisation' (The Chinese language is very demanding in terms of memorization).

The Preposition 'Envers': You will frequently see 'exigeant' followed by the preposition 'envers' (toward). 'Il est exigeant envers ses employés' (He is demanding toward his employees). This helps specify who or what is the target of the high standards. Another common construction is 'exigeant sur' followed by a specific quality, like 'Il est exigeant sur la ponctualité' (He is demanding about punctuality).

Elle est très exigeante envers elle-même, ce qui la fatigue parfois.

In more advanced usage, you can use the superlative to emphasize the degree. 'C'est l'examen le plus exigeant de l'année' (It is the most demanding exam of the year). You can also use adverbs of degree like particulièrement (particularly) or extrêmement (extremely) to modify it. 'Ce client est particulièrement exigeant' warns a colleague that the customer will be hard to satisfy.

Abstract Requirements: Sometimes 'exigeant' describes abstract concepts. 'L'art est une maîtresse exigeante' (Art is a demanding mistress) is a poetic way to say that being an artist requires total devotion. In this sense, the word personifies a pursuit or a passion.

La démocratie est un système politique exigeant qui nécessite la participation de tous.

Les normes de sécurité dans l'aviation sont extrêmement exigeantes.

The word exigeant is a staple of French life, appearing in everything from casual conversations to high-level political debates. To truly understand its resonance, one must look at the environments where standards are paramount. In France, the culinary world is perhaps the most common place to encounter this word. A chef might be described as 'exigeant' when selecting their vegetables at the market. This isn't seen as being 'difficult'; it's seen as a professional necessity. If you watch French cooking shows like Top Chef, you will hear the judges use this word constantly to describe their expectations for the contestants' plates.

In the Education System: The French school system is notoriously rigorous. Parents often discuss whether a particular school or teacher is 'exigeant.' In this context, it is usually a compliment, implying that the school will push the child to succeed. A 'professeur exigeant' is one who gives a lot of homework and grades strictly, but who is also respected for their depth of knowledge. You might hear a parent say, 'C'est un lycée très exigeant, mais les résultats au bac sont excellents.'

Le jury de ce concours est connu pour être extrêmement exigeant.

In the business world, 'exigeant' is used to describe both clients and market conditions. In luxury industries (like fashion or jewelry), the word is almost a marketing term. Brands like Chanel or Hermès cater to 'une clientèle exigeante' who expect nothing less than perfection. In corporate meetings, a manager might describe a project as 'exigeant' to prepare the team for a period of intense work. It serves as a warning that the project will require full commitment. 'Le marché actuel est très exigeant' means that competition is fierce and only the best companies will survive.

In Sports and Fitness: Sports commentators frequently use this word to describe training regimes or specific matches. A 'parcours exigeant' in cycling (like the Tour de France) refers to a route with many steep climbs. An 'entraînement exigeant' is a workout that pushes an athlete to their physical limits. It highlights the grit and resilience required to succeed in high-level athletics.

Le marathon est une épreuve exigeante pour laquelle il faut se préparer pendant des mois.

Finally, you will hear it in the media and in political discourse. Journalists might describe a 'public exigeant' when talking about voters who are disillusioned with politics and demand real change. In movie reviews, a critic might call a film 'exigeant' if it requires the viewer to think deeply and pay close attention, rather than just providing easy entertainment. In all these cases, 'exigeant' signals that something 'more' is required—more effort, more thought, or more quality.

Daily Life and Relationships: In everyday life, you might hear a friend complain about a partner being 'trop exigeant' regarding household chores or social schedules. It’s a common way to express that someone is hard to live with because their standards are so high. 'Ma mère est très exigeante sur le rangement' (My mother is very demanding about tidiness).

Les consommateurs sont de plus en plus exigeants sur l'origine des produits.

C'est un métier exigeant qui laisse peu de place à la vie privée.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using difficile (difficult) when they should use exigeant. While all demanding tasks are difficult, not all difficult tasks are demanding in the sense of 'exigeant.' Difficile is a general term for anything that is not easy. Exigeant specifically implies that the difficulty arises from high standards, a need for precision, or a heavy drain on resources. If a person is 'difficile,' they might just be unpleasant or stubborn. If a person is 'exigeant,' they have specific, high expectations.

Confusion with 'Difficult': If you say 'Cet exercice est exigeant,' you mean it requires focus and skill. If you say 'Cet exercice est difficile,' it might just be that the instructions are unclear or it's simply beyond your current level. 'Exigeant' carries a connotation of 'rigor' that 'difficile' lacks.

Ne dites pas 'C'est un patron difficile' si vous voulez dire qu'il a des standards élevés ; dites 'C'est un patron exigeant'.

Another common error is failing to make the adjective agree with the noun. Because the word ends in a consonant (the 't'), the feminine form exigeante sounds different (the 't' is pronounced). Forgetting to add the 'e' or the 's' for plurals is a common grammatical slip for learners. 'Des tâches exigeant' is incorrect; it must be 'Des tâches exigeantes.' Pay close attention to the gender of the noun you are modifying.

The 'Pickiness' Trap: In English, 'demanding' can sometimes mean 'whiny' or 'bossy.' In French, 'exigeant' is more about the standards than the behavior. If you want to say someone is 'picky' about food, 'difficile' is actually more common ('Il est difficile sur la nourriture'). 'Exigeant' implies a more sophisticated level of pickiness, like a food critic. Using 'exigeant' for a toddler who won't eat their peas might sound a bit too formal or misplaced.

Elle est exigeante (correct) vs Elle est exigeant (incorrect).

Learners also sometimes confuse exigeant (the adjective) with exigence (the noun). Remember that 'exigeant' describes a person or thing, while 'exigence' is the quality or the requirement itself. You can have 'des exigences' (requirements), but a person is 'exigeant.' Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences like 'Il a un caractère exigence,' which makes no sense.

False Friend Warning: While 'exigent' exists in English, it is quite rare and usually means 'urgent.' In French, 'exigeant' is much more common and focuses on the 'demanding' aspect. Don't be afraid to use 'exigeant' in French where you would normally say 'demanding' in English, but be careful not to translate it as 'urgent' unless the context specifically supports it.

Ce projet est très exigeant en temps.

Ils sont très exigeants sur la qualité du service.

To enrich your French vocabulary, it's helpful to know words that are similar to exigeant but carry different nuances. Depending on whether you want to emphasize strictness, precision, or difficulty, you might choose a different term. The most common synonym is rigoureux (rigorous), which focuses on adherence to rules or logic. Another is sévère (severe/strict), which often describes a person who is harsh or uncompromising.

Exigeant vs. Rigoureux: Exigeant focuses on the high expectations and the effort required. Rigoureux focuses on the exactness and the lack of errors. A scientist is rigoureux; a boss is exigeant.
Exigeant vs. Sévère: Exigeant is often a positive or neutral trait about quality. Sévère is more about punishment or lack of flexibility. A teacher can be exigeant (hard grader) without being sévère (mean personality).

Elle est pointilleuse sur les détails, ce qui la rend très exigeante.

If you want to describe someone who is extremely detailed and perhaps a bit annoying about it, you can use pointilleux (nitpicky/fastidious) or méticuleux (meticulous). Méticuleux is generally positive, suggesting great care, while pointilleux can be slightly negative. If something is physically or mentally draining, you might use éprouvant (taxing/trying) or ardu (arduous). These words emphasize the struggle rather than the standard.

Exigeant vs. Perfectionniste: A perfectionniste wants things to be perfect in every way. Someone who is exigeant simply has high standards that must be met. You can be exigeant without being a perfectionist (focusing only on the core results).

Ce travail demande une approche minutieuse et exigeante.

In informal settings, if someone is being too demanding, you might hear the slang term chiant (vulgar/annoying) or casse-pieds (pain in the neck). However, these are much less professional and should be used with caution. For a more formal way to say something is demanding, use astreignant (binding/constraining), often used for jobs with strict schedules or requirements.

Antonyms to Consider: To describe the opposite of exigeant, use indulgent (lenient), laxiste (lax), or facile (easy). An 'indulgent' teacher is the opposite of an 'exigeant' one.

Il est très indulgent avec ses enfants, contrairement à sa femme qui est plus exigeante.

C'est un public connaisseur et donc très exigeant.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The same Latin root 'agere' gives us words like 'agent', 'action', and 'agenda'. So, someone who is 'exigeant' is literally 'driving out' the best results from you.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛɡ.zi.ʒɑ̃/

US /ɛɡ.zi.ʒɑ̃/

The stress is even, but slightly more emphasis is placed on the final syllable '-ant'.

Rhymes With

mangeant changeant argent urgent intelligent agent obligeant négligeant

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 't'. In French, final 't' is silent in 'exigeant'.
Pronouncing the 'g' like the 'g' in 'go'. It should be soft, like 'j' in 'je'.
Failing to nasalize the 'an'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' in the feminine 'exigeante'.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'exigent'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know the English word 'exigent' or 'exacting'.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement (exigeant/exigeante).

Speaking 3/5

The nasal 'an' and the soft 'g' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'exigence' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

difficile travail vouloir attendre maître

Learn Next

exigence rigoureux sévère perfectionniste astreignant

Advanced

intransigeant pointilleux méticuleux scrupuleux inflexible

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Un homme exigeant, une femme exigeante.

Placement of Adjectives

Un travail exigeant (usually follows the noun).

Preposition 'envers'

Il est exigeant envers ses enfants.

Preposition 'sur'

Elle est exigeante sur la propreté.

Nasal Vowels

The 'an' in 'exigeant' is a nasal vowel /ɑ̃/.

Examples by Level

Mon prof est exigeant.

My teacher is demanding.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

C'est un travail exigeant.

It is a demanding job.

Adjective follows the noun 'travail'.

Elle est exigeante avec moi.

She is demanding with me.

Feminine agreement: 'exigeante'.

Le sport est exigeant.

Sport is demanding.

Masculine singular adjective.

Ils sont exigeants.

They are demanding.

Plural agreement: 'exigeants'.

Ma mère est très exigeante.

My mother is very demanding.

Adverb 'très' modifies the adjective.

C'est une école exigeante.

It is a demanding school.

Feminine singular agreement.

Le patron est exigeant.

The boss is demanding.

Masculine singular noun and adjective.

J'ai un emploi du temps exigeant cette semaine.

I have a demanding schedule this week.

Adjective modifying the noun phrase 'emploi du temps'.

Les clients sont de plus en plus exigeants.

Customers are more and more demanding.

Plural masculine agreement.

C'est une recette très exigeante en temps.

It is a very time-demanding recipe.

Feminine agreement 'exigeante'.

Mon entraîneur est exigeant sur la discipline.

My coach is demanding about discipline.

Use of 'sur' to specify the area of demand.

Elle est exigeante envers ses amis.

She is demanding toward her friends.

Use of 'envers' for people.

Ce jeu vidéo est exigeant mais amusant.

This video game is demanding but fun.

Contrast using 'mais'.

Le public est exigeant dans ce théâtre.

The audience is demanding in this theater.

Collective noun 'public' is masculine singular.

C'est un projet exigeant pour toute l'équipe.

It is a demanding project for the whole team.

Prepositional phrase 'pour toute l'équipe'.

Il faut être exigeant avec soi-même pour réussir.

One must be demanding of oneself to succeed.

Reflexive context 'avec soi-même'.

Cette profession est très exigeante sur le plan physique.

This profession is very demanding physically.

Phrase 'sur le plan physique' means 'on a physical level'.

Nous cherchons un candidat exigeant et rigoureux.

We are looking for a demanding and rigorous candidate.

Pairing synonyms for emphasis.

La direction est exigeante sur le respect des délais.

Management is demanding about meeting deadlines.

Feminine singular 'la direction'.

C'est une tâche exigeante qui demande de la patience.

It is a demanding task that requires patience.

Relative clause 'qui demande de la patience'.

Les lecteurs sont devenus plus exigeants sur la qualité de l'info.

Readers have become more demanding about the quality of info.

Past participle 'devenus' + adjective.

Elle mène une vie exigeante entre son travail et ses enfants.

She leads a demanding life between her work and her children.

Feminine agreement 'exigeante'.

Le climat de cette région est exigeant pour les plantes.

The climate of this region is demanding for plants.

Metaphorical use for environment.

Le marché de l'emploi est devenu extrêmement exigeant.

The job market has become extremely demanding.

Adverb 'extrêmement' for high intensity.

Les normes de sécurité sont de plus en plus exigeantes.

Safety standards are more and more demanding.

Feminine plural agreement.

C'est un public de connaisseurs, donc très exigeant.

It's an audience of experts, therefore very demanding.

Logical connector 'donc'.

Elle a une vision très exigeante de son métier d'artiste.

She has a very demanding vision of her profession as an artist.

Abstract noun 'vision' modified by 'exigeante'.

Le jury s'est montré particulièrement exigeant cette année.

The jury proved to be particularly demanding this year.

Reflexive verb 'se montrer' (to show oneself/prove to be).

Ce sport de haut niveau est exigeant pour le mental.

This high-level sport is demanding for the mind.

Noun phrase 'de haut niveau'.

La maintenance de ce système est exigeante en ressources.

The maintenance of this system is resource-demanding.

Phrase 'en ressources' specifies what is demanded.

Il est exigeant sur la provenance des produits qu'il achète.

He is demanding about the source of the products he buys.

Relative clause 'qu'il achète'.

L'écriture d'un roman est une ascèse exigeante.

Writing a novel is a demanding asceticism.

Literary use of 'ascèse'.

Il porte un regard exigeant sur l'évolution de la société.

He casts a demanding eye on the evolution of society.

Idiomatic expression 'porter un regard sur'.

La démocratie est un régime exigeant qui suppose un engagement citoyen.

Democracy is a demanding regime that assumes civic engagement.

Abstract political context.

Sa technique pianistique est le fruit d'un travail exigeant.

His piano technique is the result of demanding work.

Noun phrase 'fruit d'un travail'.

Les critiques ont été exigeants avec le dernier film du réalisateur.

Critics were demanding with the director's latest film.

Plural masculine agreement.

Le cahier des charges de ce projet est particulièrement exigeant.

The specifications for this project are particularly demanding.

Business term 'cahier des charges'.

Elle a toujours été exigeante sur la probité de ses collaborateurs.

She has always been demanding about the integrity of her collaborators.

Formal noun 'probité'.

C'est une œuvre exigeante qui ne se livre pas au premier abord.

It's a demanding work that doesn't reveal itself at first glance.

Idiomatic 'ne se livre pas au premier abord'.

La quête de la vérité est un chemin exigeant et solitaire.

The quest for truth is a demanding and solitary path.

Philosophical register.

L'herméneutique est une discipline exigeante qui requiert une vaste culture.

Hermeneutics is a demanding discipline that requires vast culture.

Academic/Technical term 'herméneutique'.

Il cultive une forme d'exigence intellectuelle particulièrement exigeante.

He cultivates a form of intellectual demand that is particularly demanding.

Wordplay between the noun 'exigence' and the adjective.

La diplomatie internationale est un exercice exigeant de funambule.

International diplomacy is a demanding tightrope walk.

Metaphorical usage.

Elle s'impose une discipline de vie exigeante, presque monacale.

She imposes a demanding, almost monastic, life discipline on herself.

Adjective 'monacale' adds specific nuance.

Le public de l'Opéra est réputé pour être l'un des plus exigeants au monde.

The Opera audience is reputed to be one of the most demanding in the world.

Superlative 'l'un des plus exigeants'.

Cette réforme est exigeante car elle bouleverse des habitudes séculaires.

This reform is demanding because it disrupts centuries-old habits.

Sophisticated adjective 'séculaires'.

L'exigence de clarté est, pour un écrivain, la plus exigeante des tâches.

The demand for clarity is, for a writer, the most demanding of tasks.

Rhetorical repetition for emphasis.

Common Collocations

un patron exigeant

un travail exigeant

une clientèle exigeante

être exigeant envers soi-même

un public exigeant

une discipline exigeante

un parcours exigeant

être exigeant sur la qualité

un rythme exigeant

un jury exigeant

Common Phrases

Être exigeant sur les détails

— To be demanding or picky about small details.

L'architecte est très exigeant sur les détails de la construction.

Un poste exigeant

— A demanding job position with high responsibilities.

Elle a accepté un poste exigeant au sein du gouvernement.

Devenir exigeant

— To become more demanding over time.

Avec l'âge, il est devenu plus exigeant sur son confort.

Se montrer exigeant

— To act in a demanding way in a specific situation.

Le client s'est montré exigeant lors de la signature du contrat.

Plus exigeant que jamais

— More demanding than ever before.

Le marché est plus exigeant que jamais.

Pas trop exigeant

— Not too demanding; easy to satisfy.

Heureusement, mon nouveau colocataire n'est pas trop exigeant.

Un esprit exigeant

— A demanding mind that seeks depth and truth.

C'est un chercheur doté d'un esprit exigeant.

Une nature exigeante

— A demanding personality or character.

Sa nature exigeante lui a permis de réussir dans les affaires.

Un sport exigeant

— A sport that requires a lot of physical or mental effort.

L'escalade est un sport exigeant.

Des normes exigeantes

— High or strict standards/norms.

L'industrie pharmaceutique suit des normes exigeantes.

Often Confused With

exigeant vs difficile

Difficile is more general; exigeant implies high standards specifically.

exigeant vs exigence

Exigence is the noun (a requirement), exigeant is the adjective (demanding).

exigeant vs urgent

Unlike the English 'exigent', the French 'exigeant' does not mean urgent.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir la barre haute"

— To set the bar high (often used alongside being exigeant).

Il est exigeant, il met toujours la barre haute.

informal

"Ne pas faire de cadeaux"

— To not give any favors; to be very demanding or tough.

Ce prof est exigeant, il ne fait pas de cadeaux aux élèves.

informal

"Chercher la petite bête"

— To look for the little bug (to be overly picky/exigeant about details).

Elle est tellement exigeante qu'elle cherche toujours la petite bête.

informal

"Être à cheval sur"

— To be very strict or demanding about something (like rules).

Il est exigeant et très à cheval sur la ponctualité.

neutral

"Vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre"

— To want the butter and the money from the butter (to be unreasonably demanding).

Tu es trop exigeant, tu veux le beurre et l'argent du beurre !

informal

"Couper les cheveux en quatre"

— To split hairs (to be excessively demanding about precision).

Arrête d'être aussi exigeant et de couper les cheveux en quatre.

informal

"Mettre les points sur les i"

— To dot the i's (to be clear and demanding about instructions).

Le directeur est exigeant, il a mis les points sur les i dès le début.

neutral

"Suivre à la lettre"

— To follow to the letter (what an exigeant person expects).

Elle est exigeante, il faut suivre ses consignes à la lettre.

neutral

"Avoir le souci du détail"

— To have an eye for detail (the positive side of being exigeant).

Son travail est exigeant car il a le souci du détail.

positive

"Porter le chapeau"

— To take the blame (what happens when you fail an exigeant boss).

Si tu rates ce projet exigeant, tu vas porter le chapeau.

informal

Easily Confused

exigeant vs difficile

Both can mean 'hard'.

Difficile means something is not easy. Exigeant means something requires a lot of effort because the standards are high.

Un puzzle difficile vs Un patron exigeant.

exigeant vs sévère

Both describe strict people.

Sévère is about punishment and lack of flexibility. Exigeant is about quality and expectations.

Un prof sévère (punishes) vs Un prof exigeant (expects great work).

exigeant vs rigoureux

Very similar meanings in a professional context.

Rigoureux is more about following a strict process or logic perfectly. Exigeant is more about the level of demand.

Une analyse rigoureuse vs Un client exigeant.

exigeant vs exigu

Similar spelling/root.

Exigu means small or cramped (referring to space). Exigeant means demanding.

Un appartement exigu vs Un travail exigeant.

exigeant vs pointilleux

Both involve high attention to detail.

Pointilleux is often negative, implying someone is picky about trivial things. Exigeant is usually more neutral or positive.

Il est pointilleux sur la couleur des trombones.

Sentence Patterns

[Personne] est exigeant.

Le prof est exigeant.

C'est un [nom] exigeant.

C'est un sport exigeant.

Être exigeant envers [soi-même/quelqu'un].

Elle est exigeante envers elle-même.

Être exigeant sur [un détail/la qualité].

Ils sont exigeants sur la qualité.

Un regard exigeant sur [un sujet].

Il porte un regard exigeant sur l'art.

Une [nom] des plus exigeantes.

C'est une épreuve des plus exigeantes.

L'exigence de [nom] est exigeante.

L'exigence de vérité est exigeante.

Se montrer exigeant quant à [quelque chose].

Il se montre exigeant quant à l'exécution du plan.

Word Family

Nouns

l'exigence (f) - the demand/requirement

l'exigibilité (f) - the state of being due

Verbs

exiger - to demand/require

Adjectives

exigeant (m) / exigeante (f) - demanding

exigible - required/due

exigu - cramped/small

exact - exact

exaction - extortion

exécuter - to execute

exigence - requirement

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional and educational contexts.

Common Mistakes

Il est exigeant sur moi. → Il est exigeant avec moi / envers moi.
The preposition 'sur' is used for topics or details, not for people. Use 'envers' or 'avec' for people.
C'est une travail exigeante. → C'est un travail exigeant.
'Travail' is a masculine noun, so the adjective must be masculine ('exigeant').
Elle est très exigeant. → Elle est très exigeante.
For a feminine subject ('elle'), you must use the feminine form of the adjective.
Le projet est exigeance. → Le projet est exigeant.
'Exigeance' is a noun. You need the adjective 'exigeant' to describe the project.
Je suis exigeant à la ponctualité. → Je suis exigeant sur la ponctualité.
The correct preposition to use when specifying the area of demand is 'sur'.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always remember to add 'e' for feminine and 's' for plural. French adjectives must match their nouns. 'Une tâche exigeante' vs 'Un effort exigeant'.

Beyond Difficile

Stop using 'difficile' for everything! Use 'exigeant' when you want to emphasize that something is hard because it requires quality and effort.

The Silent T

In the masculine form 'exigeant', the 't' is 100% silent. In the feminine 'exigeante', the 't' is 100% pronounced. Practice this contrast.

Job Interviews

Saying 'Je suis exigeant envers moi-même' is a classic and positive way to answer the 'what is your weakness' question in France.

High Standards

Understand that in France, being 'exigeant' is often seen as a virtue related to 'le goût' (taste) and 'le savoir-faire' (expertise).

Tasks vs People

You can use 'exigeant' for a person (a boss) or a task (a marathon). The meaning stays the same: high effort/standards required.

Envers vs Sur

Use 'envers' for people and 'sur' for topics. 'Exigeant envers son fils' but 'exigeant sur les résultats'.

Use Rigoureux

If you are talking about science or math, 'rigoureux' is often a better fit than 'exigeant', though they are close.

Ex-Giant

Remember the 'Ex-Giant' who is very demanding. It's a silly image that helps you remember the spelling and the meaning.

Nasal Endings

Focus on the 'ant' sound. It’s the same sound as in 'enfant' or 'mangeant'. Mastering this nasal vowel is key to being understood.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Ex' who was a 'Giant' (Ex-Giant). They were very 'exigeant' (demanding) because they were so big and needed so much space and food!

Visual Association

Imagine a chef with a magnifying glass looking at a single grain of rice. That is an 'exigeant' chef.

Word Web

Travail Patron Qualité Standard Rigueur Difficile Perfection Effort

Challenge

Try to describe three people you know using 'exigeant' or 'pas exigeant'. Write one sentence for a boss, one for a friend, and one for yourself.

Word Origin

Derived from the French verb 'exiger', which comes from the Latin 'exigere'. The Latin root is composed of 'ex-' (out) and 'agere' (to drive or lead).

Original meaning: To drive out, to measure, to examine, or to demand.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling a person 'exigeant' to their face; while it can be a compliment to their standards, it can also imply they are difficult to work with.

In English, 'demanding' can sound slightly more negative than 'exigeant' does in French. 'Exigeant' often carries a sense of 'high quality' that 'demanding' sometimes misses.

The movie 'Whiplash' depicts an extremely 'exigeant' music teacher. Gordon Ramsay is the quintessential 'chef exigeant'. Steve Jobs was known for being 'exigeant' with his engineers at Apple.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional Life

Un patron exigeant
Un projet exigeant
Des délais exigeants
Un environnement exigeant

Education

Un professeur exigeant
Un examen exigeant
Une école exigeante
Un jury exigeant

Sports & Hobbies

Un entraînement exigeant
Une discipline exigeante
Un parcours exigeant
Un sport exigeant

Customer Service

Un client exigeant
Une clientèle exigeante
Être exigeant sur le service
Répondre aux clients exigeants

Personal Character

Être exigeant envers soi-même
Une nature exigeante
Avoir un esprit exigeant
Être exigeant en amitié

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu as un patron exigeant dans ton travail actuel ?"

"Penses-tu qu'il est important d'être exigeant envers soi-même ?"

"Quel est le sport le plus exigeant que tu as jamais pratiqué ?"

"Est-ce que tes parents étaient exigeants quand tu étais enfant ?"

"Préfères-tu un professeur indulgent ou un professeur exigeant ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris une situation où tu as dû être très exigeant pour réussir un projet.

Es-tu exigeant envers tes amis ? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?

Quels sont les avantages et les inconvénients d'avoir une personnalité exigeante ?

Parle d'un professeur exigeant qui a marqué ton parcours scolaire.

Dans quels domaines de ta vie aimerais-tu être plus exigeant ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in French it is often a compliment. It implies that a person cares about quality and has high standards. In a professional context, being 'exigeant' is seen as a sign of competence and dedication to excellence. However, if you say someone is 'trop exigeant', it can mean they are impossible to please.

The feminine form is pronounced /ɛɡ.zi.ʒɑ̃t/. Unlike the masculine form where the 't' is silent, in the feminine form, you must clearly pronounce the 't' sound at the end. This is a crucial distinction for listeners.

Yes, 'un examen exigeant' is a very common phrase. It suggests that the exam was not just hard, but that it required a deep understanding and a lot of focus to pass. It sounds more formal and precise than 'un examen difficile'.

We use 'envers' when the demand is directed at a person (e.g., 'exigeant envers ses élèves'). We use 'sur' when the demand is about a specific quality or topic (e.g., 'exigeant sur la propreté'). Knowing which preposition to use makes you sound more like a native speaker.

Yes, they share the same Latin root. However, in English, 'exigent' often means 'urgent' or 'pressing,' whereas in French, 'exigeant' almost always means 'demanding' or 'having high standards.' Be careful not to use them as exact translations in every context.

Yes, but usually to describe the person eating or the standards of cooking. 'Un gourmet exigeant' is someone who only eats high-quality food. You wouldn't usually describe the food itself as 'exigeant,' but rather the process of making it ('une recette exigeante').

The most common way is to say 'peu exigeant'. For example, 'C'est un travail peu exigeant' (It's an undemanding job). You could also use 'facile' or 'simple' depending on the context, but 'peu exigeant' is the direct opposite.

It is rarely used for objects unless they require a lot of care. For example, 'une voiture exigeante en entretien' (a car that is demanding in terms of maintenance). Usually, it applies to people, tasks, or standards.

The noun form is 'l'exigence' (feminine). It means 'the demand' or 'the requirement.' For example, 'Les exigences du poste' means 'the requirements of the job.' It is a very common word in formal French.

Yes, 'un enfant exigeant' is a child who wants a lot of attention or specific things. It is similar to 'demanding' in English. It can be used by parents or teachers to describe a child's temperament.