Primitive (en. Primitive)

/pʁi.mi.tiv/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

adjective

Describes a way of life or culture that is underdeveloped.

Primitive tribes still live according to ancestral traditions.

Les tribus primitives vivent encore selon des traditions ancestrales.

Characterizes a work that is simple and rudimentary.

Primitive art features very simple forms and bright colors.

L'art primitif présente des formes très simples et des couleurs vives.

Refers to something original, fundamental.

This system is based on primitive concepts of logic.

Ce système est basé sur des concepts primitifs de la logique.

From the Latin 'primitivus', which means 'first' or 'original'.

primitive art

Refers to art produced by cultures without influence from modern civilizations.

art primitif

primitive society

Refers to a society with a simple social organization.

société primitive

primitive thought

Concerns thought mechanisms that do not rely on modern logic.

pensée primitive

primitive

Refers to another word that designates something ancient or rudimentary.

primitif

rough

Qualifies something that is coarse or unrefined.

rude

archaic

Refers to something that is very old, outdated.

archaïque

Describes a person with outdated ideas.

He has primitive thoughts on modern relationships.

Il a des réflexions primitives sur les relations modernes.

Used to qualify childish behavior.

His attitude was very primitive during the argument.

Son attitude était très primitive lors de la dispute.