raté
What does raté mean? raté is a French moderate that translates to “failure, loser” in English.
Literal Translation
failed one / misfire
Meaning & Usage
"failure, loser"
The past participle of 'rater' (to miss/fail) used as a noun: a person who has failed at life. It's a cruel insult because it's total — not 'you failed at this' but 'you are a failure.' The word implies someone had potential but wasted it, which makes it sting more than simple name-calling.
Examples in the Wild
'C'est un raté' — he's a failure. 'Tu finiras comme un raté' — you'll end up a failure. Often used about men who didn't live up to expectations.
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
French culture places high value on achievement, especially intellectual achievement, which gives 'raté' particular bite. Calling someone a 'raté' in France is commenting on their entire life trajectory. It's the kind of insult a disappointed father might use — devastating in its simplicity.
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“bitch / slut”
Female dog; used as insult toward women.
se barrer
“to get out, to bolt, to take off”
Another crude way to say 'to leave,' slightly less aggressive than 'se casser.' 'Barre-toi' is 'get out of here.' 'Je me barre' is 'I'm leaving.' The word implies leaving quickly, sometimes covertly — sneaking out of a boring party or fleeing a bad situation.
con / conne
“stupid / idiot / asshole (fem: bitch)”
Originally vulgar slang for female genitalia (cunt), now primarily means 'stupid' or 'idiot' in France. The feminine 'conne' is more offensive than 'con'.
pute / putain
“whore / hooker”
Prostitute. 'Pute' is noun form, 'putain' is interjection or noun.
nom de Dieu
“for God's sake / goddamn”
Religious exclamation, mild blasphemy.
crade
“gross, filthy, nasty”
Slang contraction of 'crasseux' (filthy) that became its own word. It describes anything disgustingly dirty — a room, a person, a habit. Less intense than 'dégueulasse' but covers the same territory. The extended form 'cradingue' adds emphasis through its playful suffix.
raclure
“scum, lowlife, bottom-feeder”
What you scrape off the bottom of a pot — the residue, the dregs. Applied to a person, it means they're the lowest of the low, the scum of society. It's a creative insult that paints a vivid picture of worthlessness.
merde
“shit / crap”
Standard exclamation for frustration, disappointment, or surprise. Literally excrement.