Meaning of "harpy" in English

A "harpy" in English traditionally refers to a mythical creature from Greek mythology, depicted as a bird with a woman's face. They were known for their swift and ferocious nature, often associated with wind and storms. In modern usage, "harpy" can also describe a shrewish, greedy, or predatory woman. This more contemporary meaning retains the negative connotations tied to the creature’s mythological roots, highlighting undesirable qualities and behaviors.

Meaning of "harpie" in French

In French, "harpie" refers to the same mythological creature known as "harpy" in English. Originating from Greek mythology, harpies were depicted as wind spirits with the body of a bird and the face of a woman. They were considered spirits of sudden, sharp gusts of wind and were often depicted as vicious and aggressive. The term "harpie" in modern French can also characterize a woman perceived as greedy, aggressive, or nagging, reflecting the negative connotations of its mythological origins.

Pronunciation of "harpy" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈhɑːr.pi/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "harpy" remains fairly consistent across English-speaking regions, though slight variations may occur with different accents. For instance, British and American pronunciations are quite similar, with minor differences in the articulation of the vowels.

Pronunciation of "harpie" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /aʁ.pi/

Pronunciation Variations: In French, pronunciation can vary slightly depending on the region. In standard French, it's pronounced with a soft 'h', whereas in some regions, the articulation of the 'a' might vary subtly, but these changes are minimal and not commonly noted.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The harpy swooped down from the sky, causing chaos in the village. - La harpie a foncé depuis le ciel, semant le chaos dans le village.

  2. In the story, the hero faced fierce harpies guarding the treasure. - Dans l'histoire, le héros a affronté des harpies féroces gardant le trésor.

  3. She was often called a harpy due to her relentless nature. - Elle était souvent appelée une harpie en raison de sa nature implacable.

  4. The harpy’s scream could be heard over the sound of the storm. - Le cri de la harpie pouvait être entendu par-dessus le bruit de la tempête.

  5. Legends state that harpies would steal food from the king’s banquets. - Les légendes racontent que les harpies volaient de la nourriture lors des banquets du roi.

  6. The harpy's talons were sharp as knives. - Les serres de la harpie étaient aussi aiguisées que des couteaux.

  7. As a child, he was terrified of stories about harpies. - Enfant, il était terrifié par les histoires de harpies.

  8. The old crone was described as a harpy by her neighbors. - La vieille mégère était décrite comme une harpie par ses voisins.

  9. Harpies were depicted in ancient art as fierce protectors of the underworld. - Les harpies étaient représentées dans l’art ancien comme des protectrices féroces du monde souterrain.

  10. The novel’s antagonist was portrayed as a modern-day harpy. - L'antagoniste du roman était décrit comme une harpie des temps modernes.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "harpy" in English

Synonyms: shrew, nag, virago, termagant, scold, hag, witch, fury, ogress, vixen.

Antonyms: angel, sweetheart, darling, saint, lady, philanthropist, humanitarian, benefactor, patron, savior.

Similar Words: creature, monster, demon, predator, spirit, beast, fiend, specter, apparition, ghoul.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "harpie" in French

Synonyms: mégère, harpie, furie, virago, arpente, sorcière, ogresse, vipère, poissonnière, acariâtre.

Antonyms: ange, chérie, bienveillante, sainte, dame, altruiste, philanthrope, bienfaitrice, protectrice, secouriste.

Similar Words: créature, monstre, démon, prédateur, esprit, bête, spectre, apparition, revenant, goule.

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