Meaning of "tartufe" in English

"Tartufe" in English typically refers to a person who is hypocritically pious or who pretends to be morally upright while hiding their true character. This word is derived from the character Tartuffe in the play by Molière, who is a manipulative impostor pretending to be deeply religious. In modern usage, it describes someone who dissimulates virtuousness for personal gain or influence, often deceiving others. Such a person might outwardly display religious or moral values while concealing less admirable intentions.

Meaning of "tartufe" in French

In French, the term "tartufe" or "tartuffe," mirrors the meaning from Molière’s play "Tartuffe," which is a critique of religious hypocrisy. The word is used to describe an individual exhibiting false piety, where their external show of morality and virtue is merely a facade to hide their selfish or deceitful ambitions. It reflects a deep cultural understanding within France of pretentious sanctimony, often used as an allegory for exposing the duplicitous nature of societal figures who hide behind a mask of righteousness.

Pronunciation of "tartufe" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈtɑːrtuːf/.

Pronunciation Variations: There are no significant pronunciation variations in English as the term is borrowed directly from French. It is typically pronounced as a close approximation of the French original.

Pronunciation of "tartufe" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /taʁ.tyf/.

Pronunciation Variations: In French, the pronunciation may slightly vary depending on regional accents, with variations mainly in the articulation of the "r" sound, but generally, it remains consistent across French-speaking regions.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The politician was a tartufe, presenting a moral facade while engaging in corruption. (Le politicien était un tartufe, présentant une façade morale tout en s'engageant dans la corruption.)

  2. In the play, Tartufe deceives the family with his feigned piety. (Dans la pièce, Tartufe trompe la famille avec sa piété feinte.)

  3. Her neighbors saw her as a tartufe for her constant moral lectures. (Ses voisins la voyaient comme une tartufe pour ses leçons de morale constantes.)

  4. Many critics considered the film's protagonist a modern-day tartufe. (Beaucoup de critiques considéraient le protagoniste du film comme un tartufe moderne.)

  5. It's hard to trust someone who behaves like a tartufe. (Il est difficile de faire confiance à quelqu'un qui se comporte comme un tartufe.)

  6. His tartufe-like behavior alienated his friends. (Son comportement de tartufe a éloigné ses amis.)

  7. Literature often portrays tartufes to critique societal hypocrisy. (La littérature présente souvent des tartufes pour critiquer l'hypocrisie sociétale.)

  8. She accused him of being a tartufe, hiding his true intentions. (Elle l'a accusé d'être un tartufe, cachant ses véritables intentions.)

  9. The theme of tartufe is prevalent in many classic novels. (Le thème du tartufe est présent dans de nombreux romans classiques.)

  10. Observers were quick to label the businessman a tartufe. (Les observateurs ont rapidement qualifié l'homme d'affaires de tartufe.)

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

Synonyms: hypocrite, impostor, charlatan, deceiver, pretender, dissembler, phony, sanctimonious person, fraud, sham.

Antonyms: honest person, genuine individual, sincere person, truthful individual, straightforward person.

Similar Words: insincere, untrustworthy, duplicitous, cunning, crafty, scheming, deceitful, deceptive, manipulative, false.

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

Synonyms: hypocrite, imposteur, charlatan, trompeur, faux dévot, comédien, simulateur, faux jeton, faussaire.

Antonyms: personne honnête, individu sincère, personne véridique, individu droit.

Similar Words: insincère, sournois, duplice, rusé, manipulateur, fourbe, trompeur.

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