French translation of
ragpicker
is
chiffonnier
Meaning of "ragpicker" in English
A ragpicker is a person who collects and sells rags and other recyclable materials from waste. Historically, ragpickers worked at the margins of society, gathering discarded cloth, paper, and other items for resale or recycling. Despite being a lowly regarded profession, ragpickers played a crucial role in the informal economy by contributing to recycling and waste reduction. Today, the term can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone who salvages or collects useful things from unlikely places.
Meaning of "chiffonnier" in French
In French, "chiffonnier" refers to a person who collects rags and old clothes for resale or recycling. This occupation has historical roots in France, where chiffonniers played an essential part in the recycling chain, collecting materials that could be reused or repurposed. Similar to the English term, it can sometimes carry metaphorical implications of someone making a living by gathering items considered worthless by others. The role of a chiffonnier highlights social and economic dimensions concerning waste management and resourcefulness.
Pronunciation of "ragpicker" in English
Phonetic Transcription: [ˈræɡˌpɪkər]
Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "ragpicker" is consistent across most English-speaking regions, with slight variations in accent and intonation in British, American, and Australian English.
Pronunciation of "chiffonnier" in French
Phonetic Transcription: [ʃifɔnje]
Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "chiffonnier" remains largely consistent across Francophone regions. However, slight variations may occur in accents, particularly between Parisian and Canadian French.
Sentence examples in English and translation to French
- The ragpicker wandered the streets collecting scraps. (Le chiffonnier parcourait les rues en ramassant des morceaux.)
- Many ragpickers lived in the city's slums. (Beaucoup de chiffonniers vivaient dans les taudis de la ville.)
- Her grandfather was a ragpicker during the Great Depression. (Son grand-père était chiffonnier pendant la Grande Dépression.)
- The ragpicker found an old book among the rubbish. (Le chiffonnier trouva un vieux livre parmi les ordures.)
- During the war, ragpickers were essential for recycling. (Pendant la guerre, les chiffonniers étaient essentiels pour le recyclage.)
- The ragpicker's role has evolved with modern recycling methods. (Le rôle du chiffonnier a évolué avec les méthodes de recyclage modernes.)
- As a child, he often accompanied a local ragpicker. (Enfant, il accompagnait souvent un chiffonnier local.)
- Some artists draw inspiration from the life of ragpickers. (Certains artistes s'inspirent de la vie des chiffonniers.)
- The ragpicker's cart was filled with all sorts of items. (La charrette du chiffonnier était remplie de toutes sortes d'articles.)
- She wrote a novel about the life of a 19th-century ragpicker. (Elle a écrit un roman sur la vie d'un chiffonnier du 19ème siècle.)
Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ragpicker" in English
Synonyms: scavenger, recycler, picker, collector, salvager, gleaner, forager, hoarder, gatherer, recycler.
Antonyms: disposers, wasteful person, squanderer, spender.
Similar Words: junk collector, scrap dealer, waste picker, recycler, salvage operator.
Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "chiffonnier" in French
Synonyms: récupérateur, collecteur, recycleur, ramasseur, éboueur, chiffonnière.
Antonyms: -
Similar Words: récupérateur de déchets, ferrailleur, collecteur de matériaux, trieur.
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