Fantine (en. Fantine)

/fɑ̃.tin/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A woman in distress, often associated with poverty.

In the novel, Fantine must fight for her daughter's survival.

Dans le roman, Fantine doit se battre pour la survie de sa fille.

A woman who sacrifices herself for others.

She became a true fantine for her family.

Elle est devenue une véritable fantine pour sa famille.

From the word 'fantin', a form of the word 'ghost', evoking a sad and desperate presence.

to be in the shoes of a fantine

To be in a situation of great poverty or suffering.

être dans la peau d'une fantine

modern-day fantine

A woman fighting to survive under difficult conditions.

fantine des temps modernes

begging

The practice of begging, often linked to poverty.

mendicité

sacrifice

The act of giving something valuable for a much better cause.

sacrifice

distress

The state of a person who finds themselves in a difficult situation.

détresse

A person who is constantly in need.

She really is a fantine, always asking for help.

Elle est vraiment une fantine, toujours à demander de l'aide.

Someone living in a very precarious manner.

With his salary, he lives like a fantine.

Avec son salaire, il vit comme une fantine.