Gullible in French: How to Say It and More

Explanation of Forms

The word "gullible" in French is translated as "crédule" or "crédulité." Both words are derived from the Latin word "credulus," which means "believing" or "trusting." The French word "crédule" is an adjective, while "crédulité" is a noun.

Examples of Usage

Adjective: Crédule

1. Elle est très crédule et croit à tout ce que dit son amie. (She is very gullible and believes everything her friend tells her.)

2. Il est dangereux d'être trop crédule envers les informations que nous recevons. (It's dangerous to be too gullible about the information we receive.)

Noun: Crédulité

1. Sa crédulité l'a souvent fait tomber dans les pièges des escrocs. (His gullibility often led him into the traps of swindlers.)

2. Il est important de reconnaître et de combattre notre propre crédulité pour ne pas être victimes de fausses nouvelles. (It's important to recognize and fight our own gullibility to not become victims of fake news.)

Notes on Usage

When using the word "crédule" or "crédulité" in French, it's essential to consider the context and the tone of your conversation. Being too gullible can be seen as a weakness, so using these words in a negative context is more common. However, you can also use them in a positive context to describe someone's trusting nature.

Word Origin

The word "crédule" comes from the Latin word "credulus," which means "believing" or "trusting." It has been used in the French language since the 16th century and has kept its original meaning over time.

Additional Variations

While "crédule" and "crédulité" are the most common translations of "gullible" in French, there are a few other variations you might come across:

  • Crédulité (noun): This word is used when referring to the quality of being gullible or the state of being easily deceived.
  • Naïveté (noun): This word means "naivety" or "innocence" and can also be used to describe someone who is easily deceived or gullible.
  • Innocence (noun): This word means "innocence" and can be used to describe someone who is naive or gullible.

Remember that the choice of word depends on the context and the tone of your conversation.