French translation of imbecility is 
imbécillité

Meaning of "imbecility" in English

"Imbecility" refers to a state of being foolish or lacking good judgment. It often describes actions, thoughts, or situations marked by a lack of sense. Historically, "imbecility" has been used in a medical context to refer to intellectual disabilities, but this usage is outdated and derogatory. Today, it is mainly used in a casual or critical way to comment on someone's lack of wisdom or common sense in specific situations. While not a vulgar term, it does carry a negative connotation when critiquing someone's behavior.

Meaning of "imbécillité" in French

The French term "imbécillité" parallels the English "imbecility," denoting a lack of intelligence or good judgment. In French contexts, it is used to criticize actions perceived as foolish or nonsensical. Like its English counterpart, "imbécillité" can historically refer to intellectual impairments, but its contemporary use is chiefly informal and critical, targeting imprudent actions or statements. It's important to note that "imbécillité" should be applied carefully, as it has a negative tone, often used to highlight someone's error or oversight in judgment.

Pronunciation of "imbecility" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˌɪm.bəˈsɪl.ɪ.ti/

Regional variations in pronunciation of "imbecility" are minimal, as it is typically pronounced the same across most English-speaking regions. Minor differences may occur in stress or intonation based on local accents.

Pronunciation of "imbécillité" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ɛ̃.be.si.li.te/

The pronunciation of "imbécillité" is consistent across various French-speaking regions, though slight differences in emphasis or sound rounding can occur due to local dialects or accents. Overall, these variations do not significantly impact comprehension.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. His imbecility was evident when he forgot his keys again.
   (Son imbécillité était évidente lorsqu'il a encore oublié ses clés.)

2. The imbecility of their actions surprised everyone at the meeting.
   (L'imbécillité de leurs actions a surpris tout le monde lors de la réunion.)

3. Laughing in such a serious moment showed his complete imbecility.
   (Rire à un moment si sérieux a montré son imbécillité totale.)

4. She shook her head at the imbecility of the statement.
   (Elle secoua la tête devant l'imbécillité de la déclaration.)

5. The policy was criticized for its apparent imbecility by the experts.
   (La politique a été critiquée pour son apparente imbécillité par les experts.)

6. They couldn't believe the imbecility of his latest decision.
   (Ils ne pouvaient pas croire l'imbécillité de sa dernière décision.)

7. The movie's plot was full of imbecility, leaving the audience disappointed.
   (L'intrigue du film était remplie d'imbécillité, laissant le public déçu.)

8. Her imbecility caused more problems than solutions.
   (Son imbécillité a causé plus de problèmes que de solutions.)

9. The imbecility of their actions was clear to everyone involved.
   (L'imbécillité de leurs actions était claire pour tous les concernés.)

10. Addressing someone's imbecility often requires tact and patience.
    (Aborder l'imbécillité de quelqu'un nécessite souvent de la tact et de la patience.)

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

Synonyms: foolishness, idiocy, stupidity, senselessness, absurdity, inanity, obtuseness, fatuity, ignorance, doltishness.

Antonyms: intelligence, wisdom, common sense, cleverness, acumen, sagacity, insight, prudence, understanding, brilliance.

Similar Words: silliness, ineptitude, naivety, irrationality, nonsensicality, cluelessness, ineptness, incapacity, short-sightedness, folly.

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

Synonyms: stupidité, bêtise, absurdité, idiotie, sottise, niaiserie, ineptie, fadaise, crétinisme, lourdeur.

Antonyms: intelligence, sagesse, bon sens, perspicacité, clairvoyance, discernement, prudence, ingéniosité, lucidité, talent.

Similar Words: déraison, incongruité, maladresse, naïveté, irrationalité, incompétence, ineptitude, inintelligence, paresse intellectuelle, imprudence.

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