The least complicated AskMe today.
October 8, 2023 9:02 AM Subscribe
Ahoy, French speakers:
What words or phrase would come closest to the meaning of “smug bastard?”
Context:
“Oh, he’s such a smug bastard.”
That’s all.
I would use "connard" rather than "bâtard". While "connard" is not a direct translation of "bastard", I believe it's more colloquial and convey much the same meaning as "bastard".
For "smug", I'd prefer "prétentieux" to "suffisant". Again, "suffisant" is probably the closest translation, but "prétentieux" comes much more readily to my lips.
posted by snakeling at 3:07 PM on October 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
For "smug", I'd prefer "prétentieux" to "suffisant". Again, "suffisant" is probably the closest translation, but "prétentieux" comes much more readily to my lips.
posted by snakeling at 3:07 PM on October 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
Poseur? Not sure if it’s used that way in actual French. But that’s really more about pretense than smugness, anyway.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:23 PM on October 8, 2023
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:23 PM on October 8, 2023
I like snakeling's answer. Another way of conveying that idea would be "Il s'aime bien", which literally means "He likes himself" in a "He is pleased with himself" sort of way. You could always combine it with "connard" of course: "Il s'aime bien, ce connard."
posted by DavidfromBA at 7:45 AM on October 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by DavidfromBA at 7:45 AM on October 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
I agree with connard rather than bâtard.
Another popular (and more vulgar) expression that conveys that idea is "Il ne se prend pas pour de la merde" (literally, "he doesn't take himself for crap" ), which would be similar to "he thinks he's better than everyone else."
posted by pendrift at 7:58 AM on October 9, 2023 [5 favorites]
Another popular (and more vulgar) expression that conveys that idea is "Il ne se prend pas pour de la merde" (literally, "he doesn't take himself for crap" ), which would be similar to "he thinks he's better than everyone else."
posted by pendrift at 7:58 AM on October 9, 2023 [5 favorites]
“connard" is a much better translation than "bâtard”, can’t believe I forgot it!
posted by ellieBOA at 12:29 PM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 12:29 PM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Bâtard de crâneur" or "Bâtard imbu" or "Connard puant" all seem ≈ in the right ballpark, but I'd want to chat to a native speaker about their precise nuance before deploying in anger.
posted by protorp at 6:19 AM on October 10, 2023
posted by protorp at 6:19 AM on October 10, 2023
"Bâtard de crâneur" or "Bâtard imbu" or "Connard puant" all seem ≈ in the right ballpark, but I'd want to chat to a native speaker about their precise nuance before deploying in anger.
Generally speaking I wouldn't use "bâtard". "Imbu" is good, but not on its own, so rather "connard imbu de sa personne", and I would probably use the form "quel connard imbu de sa personne !", so not as a direct insult. "Connard puant" is good, too.
posted by snakeling at 8:12 AM on October 14, 2023
Generally speaking I wouldn't use "bâtard". "Imbu" is good, but not on its own, so rather "connard imbu de sa personne", and I would probably use the form "quel connard imbu de sa personne !", so not as a direct insult. "Connard puant" is good, too.
posted by snakeling at 8:12 AM on October 14, 2023
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posted by ellieBOA at 9:55 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]