Kilo Lingo

bɛt

Line drawing of bête
Coloured illustration of bête
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Translation

stupid; animal

Word origin

From Latin bestia ('beast, animal'). The same root gives the English borrowings beast and bestial; the figurative 'stupid' sense developed in French.

Origin
Latin
Root
bestia
English cognates
beast, bestial

Grammar

Masc pluralbêtes

Examples

C' ' .

It is so silly that nobody thought of it.

, .

Do not be silly, accept his help.

Quelle !

What a stupid question!

' .

I felt foolish for having forgotten his name.

C' .

It is a silly mistake but one that can cost dearly.

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French · Free printables

bête: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "bête" (stupid; animal): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 17.