French translation of quidam is 
quidam

Meaning of "quidam" in English

In English, the word "quidam" refers to an unspecified or unknown person. It is an uncommon term mainly used in literary contexts to describe someone without revealing their identity. The word carries a mysterious tone, often used to evoke curiosity about the person's character or intent. Using "quidam" might suggest an individual who is either fleeting, anonymous, or intentionally unremarkable. The term roots in Latin, denoting an unidentified or undistinguished individual, and is typically employed in sophisticated or classical expressions.

Meaning of "quidam" in French

In French, "quidam" holds a similar meaning to its English counterpart. It refers to an unspecified person, often used to denote a man whose identity is either unknown or not relevant. The term can carry an undertone of anonymity or ordinary quality, suggesting someone nondescript or of little significance. In literature, it frequently serves to add a layer of intrigue or mystery about a character. "Quidam" is often utilized in everyday French to describe someone who is not particularly noteworthy or identifiable, contributing to a context of generality.

Pronunciation of "quidam" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈkwɪd.æm/

Pronunciation Variations: In English, "quidam" is pronounced with a stress on the first syllable. There are not many regional variations, but some might pronounce it slightly differently due to accent influences.

Pronunciation of "quidam" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ki.dam/

Pronunciation Variations: In French, "quidam" is typically pronounced with a softer "d." There are minor regional variations, but the pronunciation remains largely consistent across Francophone regions.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. A mysterious quidam visited the library last night. (Un mystérieux quidam a visité la bibliothèque hier soir.)
2. Nobody knew the quidam who saved the day. (Personne ne connaissait le quidam qui a sauvé la situation.)
3. The story was about a quidam who traveled the world. (L'histoire parlait d'un quidam qui parcourait le monde.)
4. A quidam in a hat approached me with a question. (Un quidam avec un chapeau s'est approché de moi avec une question.)
5. The crowd parted for the quidam to pass. (La foule s'est écartée pour laisser passer le quidam.)
6. In the novel, a quidam appears at the stroke of midnight. (Dans le roman, un quidam apparaît à minuit.)
7. The quidam left no trace of his presence. (Le quidam n'a laissé aucune trace de sa présence.)
8. She whispered to a quidam in the shadows. (Elle a chuchoté à un quidam dans l'ombre.)
9. The detective's interest was piqued by the enigmatic quidam. (L'intérêt du détective a été éveillé par le quidam énigmatique.)
10. Every quidam has a story to tell. (Chaque quidam a une histoire à raconter.)

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

Synonyms: someone, individual, person, character, figure, unknown, somebody, entity, passerby, stranger.

Antonyms: well-known, celebrity, notable, acclaimed, famous, prominent, distinguished, recognized, renowned, identifiable.

Similar Words: outsider, bystander, personage, nonentity, nobody, anonym, persona, gentleman, gentlewoman, commoner.

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

Synonyms: quelqu’un, individu, homme, personne, personnage, inconnu, parle, passant, étranger, homme ordinaire.

Antonyms: célébrité, personne célèbre, personnage célèbre, personnalité, vedette, figure célèbre, éminent, distingué, reconnu, notable.

Similar Words: outsider, spectateur, non-entité, anonyme, quidam lambda, simple, commun, interlocuteur, résidant, citoyen.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.