French · People & Family
"Stranger" in French: inconnu(e)
l'inconnu(e)
A stranger in French is l'inconnu or l'inconnue. Un inconnu knocked — un inconnu a frappé. Kids hear ne parle pas aux inconnus.
Doorbell
Un inconnu a sonné à la porte.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce inconnu(e)
Say it
lan-koh-NEW
/lɛ̃.kɔ.ny/
an-koh-NEW. Nasal in-; u like French tu. Feminine inconnue adds a clear final consonant feel.
"Stranger" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'inconnu(e) | the stranger Default. | Default. |
| un inconnu | a stranger (male/unknown) Indefinite. | Indefinite. |
| une inconnue | a stranger (female) Feminine. | Feminine. |
| ne parle pas aux inconnus | don't talk to strangers Kids' safety line. | Kids' safety line. |
How to use inconnu(e) in real life
- 1Doorbell
Un inconnu a sonné à la porte.
A stranger rang the doorbell.
Un inconnu.
- 2Street
Cette inconnue m'a demandé son chemin.
That stranger asked me for directions.
Cette inconnue.
- 3Advice
Ne suis pas un inconnu dans la rue la nuit.
Don't follow a stranger in the street at night.
Un inconnu.
Mistakes English speakers make with inconnu(e)
Incorrect: Un stranger.
Correct: Un inconnu.
Use inconnu, not English stranger.
Incorrect: Une inconnu.
Correct: Une inconnue.
Feminine adds e: inconnue.
Good to know
Safety campaigns still say méfie-toi des inconnus. In fiction, un inconnu can mean a mysterious man; tone decides scary vs neutral.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking who knocked
ChatPal
C'était un inconnu ?
Was it a stranger?
You
Oui, un inconnu avec un colis.
Yes, a stranger with a package.
ChatPal
Tu as ouvert ?
Did you open?
You
Non, j'ai regardé par le judas.
No, I looked through the peephole.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Stranger" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Stranger" in French
How do you say stranger in French?
L'inconnu / l'inconnue.
Gender forms?
Inconnu (m), inconnue (f).
Don't talk to strangers?
Ne parle pas aux inconnus.
How do you pronounce inconnu?
an-koh-NEW.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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