French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Ugly" in French: laid(e)
laid(e)
Note: informal: moche
Ugly in French is laid for masculine, laide for feminine. C'est laid means that's ugly. Informal speech often uses moche, but the headword here is laid(e).
Architecture walk
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How to pronounce laid(e)
Say it
leh / led
/lɛ/ /lɛd/
Laid is leh (like English leh). Laide is led. Final d in laid is usually silent.
"Ugly" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| laid / laide | ugly Standard pair. | Standard pair. |
| c'est laid | that's ugly Reacting to a look or object. | Reacting to a look or object. |
| un bâtiment laid | an ugly building Describing design. | Describing design. |
| pas laid | not bad-looking Mild understatement. | Mild understatement. |
How to use laid(e) in real life
- 1Architecture walk
Ce parking est vraiment laid.
This parking garage is really ugly.
Laid masculine.
- 2Fashion fail
Cette couleur est un peu laide sur moi.
This color is a bit ugly on me.
Laide feminine.
- 3Honest opinion
Le logo est laid, il faut le changer.
The logo is ugly; it needs changing.
Direct laid.
Mistakes English speakers make with laid(e)
Incorrect: Une robe laid.
Correct: Une robe laide.
Feminine agreement: laide.
Incorrect: C'est ugly.
Correct: C'est laid.
Use laid.
Good to know
Laid can sound blunt about people; many speakers soften with pas très joli or choose moche among friends. For objects and design, laid is fine.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Reacting to a hotel room renovation photo
ChatPal
Franchement, ce papier peint est laid.
Honestly, this wallpaper is ugly.
You
Oui, trop laid. On change de chambre ?
Yes, too ugly. Shall we change rooms?
ChatPal
Je demande à la réception.
I'll ask reception.
You
Merci. Je préfère du simple.
Thanks. I prefer something simple.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Ugly" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Ugly" in French
How do you say ugly in French?
Laid / laide.
When do I use laide?
With feminine nouns: une couleur laide.
Is moche okay?
Yes in informal speech, but laid(e) is the standard headword.
How do you pronounce laid?
Leh.
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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