A2 Collocation अनौपचारिक 3 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

normalement laid

normalement ugly

शाब्दिक अर्थ: normally ugly

Use it to describe something that is exactly as unattractive as you expected it to be.

15 सेकंड में

  • Describes something standardly unattractive or plain.
  • Used for objects, buildings, or situations, never people.
  • Conveys a sense of resigned, everyday honesty.

मतलब

This phrase describes something that is plain, average, or unappealing in a completely standard way. It is used to say something isn't a disaster, but it certainly isn't pretty or special.

मुख्य उदाहरण

3 / 6
1

Describing a cheap rental car

La voiture de location est normalement laide, mais elle roule.

The rental car is normally ugly, but it runs.

😊
2

Talking about a boring apartment building

C'est un immeuble des années 70, donc c'est normalement laid.

It's a building from the 70s, so it's normally ugly.

😊
3

A professional but blunt assessment of a draft

Le premier jet du site web est normalement laid pour l'instant.

The first draft of the website is normally ugly for now.

💼
🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

This expression taps into the French penchant for 'l'esprit critique'—the tendency to analyze and judge one's surroundings. It reflects a society that values beauty so much that it has a specific category for 'acceptable' ugliness. It is often used with a shrug of the shoulders, signifying a resigned acceptance of mediocrity.

💬

The Art of the Shrug

When you say this, pair it with a 'Gallic Shrug' (shoulders up, mouth turned down). It completes the vibe of 'it is what it is.'

⚠️

People are Off-Limits

Never use this for people. Even if you think you're being funny, it comes across as a cold, clinical insult in French.

15 सेकंड में

  • Describes something standardly unattractive or plain.
  • Used for objects, buildings, or situations, never people.
  • Conveys a sense of resigned, everyday honesty.

What It Means

Normalement laid is a funny, slightly blunt way to describe something that lacks any aesthetic charm. It is not 'hideous' or 'monstrous.' It is just... normally ugly. Think of a boring concrete building or a poorly designed website. It is the kind of ugliness you expect to see in everyday life. It does not shock you, but it definitely does not please the eye.

How To Use It

You use this as an adjective phrase to describe objects, places, or situations. You can use it to lower expectations. If a friend asks if a cheap hotel is nice, you might say it is normalement laid. It means it is exactly as ugly as a cheap hotel should be. It follows the standard rules of French grammar. If the object is feminine, you add an 'e' to get normalement laide.

When To Use It

Use it when you want to be honest but not dramatic. It is perfect for talking about architecture, fashion choices, or old cars. It works well when you are being a bit cynical with friends. It is great for describing a 'functional' item that has no style. Use it when 'ugly' feels too strong, but 'okay' feels like a lie.

When NOT To Use It

Never use this to describe a person's face. That would be very rude and hurtful. Do not use it in a high-end professional setting, like a luxury design meeting. It is too informal for a job interview. Avoid using it for things that are actually beautiful but just not your taste. It is for things that are objectively plain or poorly made.

Cultural Background

French culture places a high value on aesthetics and 'le bon goût' (good taste). Because of this, the French can be quite critical of things that look 'cheap' or 'industrial.' Calling something normalement laid is a way of acknowledging that the world isn't always a postcard. It reflects a certain Parisian-style grumpiness that is actually quite charming. It shows you have standards, even for the mundane.

Common Variations

You might hear classiquement laid for something that is ugly in a traditional way. Some people might say c'est moche, tout simplement (it's just plain ugly). If something is very ugly, they might upgrade to franchement laid. But normalement laid remains the best choice for that specific 'average' level of unattractive. It is the 'beige' of insults.

इस्तेमाल की जानकारी

This is a neutral-to-informal collocation. It is safe for friends and family, but use caution in professional settings where you want to remain polite.

💬

The Art of the Shrug

When you say this, pair it with a 'Gallic Shrug' (shoulders up, mouth turned down). It completes the vibe of 'it is what it is.'

⚠️

People are Off-Limits

Never use this for people. Even if you think you're being funny, it comes across as a cold, clinical insult in French.

💡

Use it for 'Ugly' Sweaters

If you are invited to an 'Ugly Sweater Party,' you can describe your find as `normalement laid` to show you nailed the brief.

उदाहरण

6
#1 Describing a cheap rental car
😊

La voiture de location est normalement laide, mais elle roule.

The rental car is normally ugly, but it runs.

Focuses on functionality over aesthetics.

#2 Talking about a boring apartment building
😊

C'est un immeuble des années 70, donc c'est normalement laid.

It's a building from the 70s, so it's normally ugly.

Implies that certain eras have a standard level of ugliness.

#3 A professional but blunt assessment of a draft
💼

Le premier jet du site web est normalement laid pour l'instant.

The first draft of the website is normally ugly for now.

Used to manage expectations during a creative process.

#4 Texting a friend about a dive bar
😊

Le bar est normalement laid, rejoins-moi là-bas !

The bar is normally ugly, meet me there!

Suggests the ugliness is part of the expected dive-bar vibe.

#5 Humorous comment on a fashion choice
😄

Ce pull de Noël est normalement laid, c'est parfait.

This Christmas sweater is normally ugly, it's perfect.

Using the 'ugliness' as a positive attribute for a theme.

#6 Expressing disappointment in a souvenir
💭

Le souvenir qu'il m'a rapporté est normalement laid.

The souvenir he brought me back is normally ugly.

Conveys a mild, expected disappointment.

खुद को परखो

Choose the correct form for a feminine noun (une maison).

Cette maison est ___ ___.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: normalement laide

In French, adjectives must agree in gender. 'Maison' is feminine, so 'laid' becomes 'laide'.

Which context is appropriate for this phrase?

Je peux dire que ce bâtiment est ___.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: normalement laid

You use 'normalement laid' to describe the appearance of an object or building.

🎉 स्कोर: /2

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

Formality of 'Normalement Laid'

Very Informal

Slang or very blunt talk.

C'est trop moche.

Informal

Where this phrase lives. Good for friends.

C'est normalement laid.

Neutral

Safe for most daily interactions.

Ce n'est pas très beau.

Formal

Polite or professional critique.

L'esthétique est assez quelconque.

When to say 'Normalement Laid'

Normalement Laid
🪑

Old Furniture

Checking out a thrift store find.

🚌

Public Transport

Describing a dusty bus station.

☁️

Bad Weather

A gray, boring rainy day.

🏨

Cheap Hotels

Reviewing a basic room.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

No, it means it is average-ugly. It is exactly as unappealing as you would expect, like un parking normalement laid (a normally ugly parking lot).

Only if the vibe is very casual. In a formal meeting, it is better to say l'esthétique est secondaire (the aesthetics are secondary).

Yes, it is quite blunt. If you say ton cadeau est normalement laid, your friend will likely be offended unless you are joking.

You simply add an 'e' to 'laid'. For example: Cette chaise est normalement laide.

Moche is more common in spoken French, while laid is slightly more formal. Normalement moche is also used and sounds even more casual.

Yes! You can say C'est une situation normalement laide to describe a typical, messy, or unpleasant conflict.

It is not exactly slang, but rather a common colloquial combination of words used by native speakers.

The 'd' is silent. It sounds like 'lay'. If it's feminine ('laide'), you pronounce the 'd' like 'led'.

Absolutely. You can say normalement cher (normally expensive) to mean it costs exactly what you expected.

It can! If you use it to describe something that is actually beautiful, it is very sarcastic.

संबंधित मुहावरे

C'est moche

Pas terrible

Affreux

Quelconque

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