Tartuffe (en. Tartuffe)

/taʁ.tyf/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A person who demonstrates hypocrisy, particularly in a religious context.

He behaves like a tartuffe by preaching morality while living in immorality.

Il se comporte comme un tartuffe en prêchant la moralité tout en vivant dans l'immoralité.

The main character of Molière's comedy, a symbol of hypocrisy.

Molière's tartuffe embodies duplicity.

Le tartuffe de Molière incarne la duplicité.

The word 'tartuffe' was popularized by Molière's play called 'Tartuffe', published in 1664.

to be a tartuffe

To be hypocritical or to simulate religious feelings

être un tartuffe

to play the tartuffe

To feign feelings of piety or virtue

jouer le tartuffe

hypocrisy

Attitude of pretending to hold values or beliefs that one does not respect.

hypocrisie

pretender

A person who pretends to have qualities or virtues.

simulateur

Tartuffe is sometimes used to refer to someone who believes they are superior while being false.

Look at him, he thinks he's a saint, he's really a tartuffe.

Regarde-le, il se prend pour un saint, c'est vraiment un tartuffe.

It can refer to someone who pretends to be generous.

He donates to the church, but it's just to ease his conscience; he's a tartuffe.

Il offre des dons à l'église, mais c'est juste pour se donner bonne conscience, c'est un tartuffe.