How to Say ‘You idiot’ in French
Espèce d'idiot
es-pess d ee-dyo
[es-pess d ee-dyo]
💬 Usage Tip: [D'] is short for [de] before a vowel, so [d'idiot] must stay attached to the next word. [Espèce de ...] is a common insult pattern: swap in [crétin], [menteur], [imbécile].
🇫🇷 In France: [Espèce de ...] makes an insult sound pointed and contemptuous, like 'you total ...'. It is common in arguments and scolding.
Phrase Breakdown
Espèce
[es-pess]
kind / sort
In insults, espèce de means you kind of..., used to insult someone.
Espèce d'idiot, tu as encore oublié le rendez-vous !
You idiot, you forgot the appointment again!
d'
[d]
of
Contracted de before a vowel, meaning of in the insult pattern.
Dans espèce d'idiot, d' correspond à of.
In you idiot, d' corresponds to of.
idiot
[ee-dyo]
idiot
An insult meaning idiot or fool.
Ne crie pas espèce d'idiot pour une petite erreur.
Don't yell you idiot over a small mistake.
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