mec
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guy, dude, mate, fool, simpleton
/mɛk/
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A colloquial French noun for a man, ranging from a friendly ‘guy’ to a derogatory ‘fool’, and also the term for a young male cow or a mechanic.
Examples
Le mec a réparé ma voiture.
The mechanic repaired my car.
Ce mec m’a aidé à déménager.
This guy helped me move.
Le mec a expliqué le problème en détail.
The mechanic explained the problem in detail.
Ne fais pas confiance à ce mec, il est trop bête.
Don’t trust that simpleton, he’s too stupid.
Le mec a besoin de lait maternel.
The calf needs its mother’s milk.
Similar words
ami
dude
homme
crétin
imbécile
stupide
technicien
bête
potejeune bovin
Meanings
Examples
Ce mec m’a aidé à déménager.
This guy helped me move.
Tu connais ce mec ?
Do you know this dude?
Les mecs du groupe sont très sympas.
The guys in the group are very nice.
Quel mec es-tu devenu ?
What guy have you become?
Ce mec est mon meilleur ami.
This mate is my best friend.
J’ai rencontré un mec intéressant hier soir.
I met an interesting guy last night.
Similar words
gars
type
homme
potecopain
ami
dude
Examples
Ce mec ne comprend rien.
That fool doesn’t understand anything.
Arrête d’être un mec !
Stop being a simpleton!
Quel mec ! Il a tout raté.
What a fool! He messed everything up.
Il se croit malin, mais c’est juste un mec.
He thinks he's clever, but he's just a fool.
Ne fais pas confiance à ce mec, il est trop bête.
Don’t trust that simpleton, he’s too stupid.
Ce mec a perdu son argent en jouant.
That fool lost his money gambling.
Similar words
idiot
imbécile
crétin
bouffon
stupide
bête
nigaud
Examples
Le mec du fermier est né hier.
The farmer’s calf was born yesterday.
Nous avons acheté deux mecs pour le troupeau.
We bought two calves for the herd.
Le mec a besoin de lait maternel.
The calf needs its mother’s milk.
Ce mec grandit vite.
This calf is growing quickly.
Le vétérinaire a examiné le mec malade.
The vet examined the sick calf.
Après la naissance, le mec a été séparé du troupeau.
After birth, the calf was separated from the herd.
Similar words
veau
veau mâle
bovin
jeune bovin
troupeau
bête
animal
Examples
Le mec a réparé ma voiture.
The mechanic repaired my car.
J’ai besoin d’un mec pour changer les pneus.
I need a mechanic to change the tires.
Ce mec travaille dans l’atelier depuis dix ans.
This mechanic has worked in the workshop for ten years.
Le mec a trouvé la panne rapidement.
The mechanic found the fault quickly.
Je fais confiance à ce mec pour l’entretien.
I trust this mechanic for maintenance.
Le mec a expliqué le problème en détail.
The mechanic explained the problem in detail.
Similar words
mécanicien
technicien
garagiste
réparateur
bricoleur
tôlier
atelier
Etymology
From Old French mec, originally meaning a boy or servant, later used for a man.
FAQ
What does mec mean in everyday French?
Mec is a casual word for a man, similar to “guy” or “dude” in English.
Can mec be used to refer to a woman?
No, mec is masculine; use fille or femme for a woman.
Is mec ever used as an insult?
Yes, when used pejoratively it means a fool or simpleton.
What animal does mec refer to in farming contexts?
In agriculture, mec denotes a young male cow, i.e., a calf.
Does mec ever mean a mechanic?
Informally, mec can refer to a mechanic, especially in spoken French.
What is the plural form of mec?
Is there a feminine form of mec?
The feminine form is meca, but it is rarely used.
Where does the word mec come from?
It derives from Old French mec, originally meaning a boy or servant.
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