le mec
dude · guy
C'est un mot familier pour parler d'un garçon ou d'un homme.
The French word "mec" is a colloquial term that is very commonly used in everyday language.
Meaning:
- Mec primarily means "guy", "bloke", or "dude" in English.
- It refers to a man or a boy in an informal and casual way.
- It is often used to talk about a male person without specifying who exactly, similar to "guy" or "fellow."
Parts:
- The word itself is just a short slang term without further morphological breakdown.
- It might come from old French or be an abbreviation/slang form evolving over time.
Usage examples:
- C’est un mec sympa → "He’s a nice guy."
- Tu connais ce mec ? → "Do you know that guy?"
Synonyms:
- gars (also means guy or boy, formal or familiar tone)
- type (another informal word for "guy" or "bloke")
- homme (man, but more neutral or formal than "mec")
Antonyms:
There isn’t an exact antonym because "mec" refers to a male person and is informal. If you consider gender:
- fille (girl)
- meuf (slang equivalent for a girl/woman)
Notes:
- "Mec" is informal and mostly used in spoken or familiar registers rather than formal writing.
- It is widely recognized and used by French speakers of all ages.
In summary, "mec" = a casual, informal word for "guy," used conversationally to refer to a man or boy.
Make “mec” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Ce mec parle trop fort.noun
That dude talks too loud.
Ce mec porte un chapeau bleu.noun
This guy is wearing a blue hat.
Ce matin, le mec du magasin m’a aidé à choisir des pommes.noun
This morning, the guy at the store helped me choose some apples.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad