Languages › French Introduction to the French Word Une Bête Print Danielle D. Hughson / Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on July 20, 2019 The meaning of the word une bête, pronounced "bet," means animal, insect, and creature in English. However, as an adjective, the word can also mean stupid, silly and foolish. Examples and Common Expressions Read More 3 Fun And Common French Idioms With Animals By Camille Chevalier-Karfis Je n'aime pas aller dans la forêt, il y a trop de bêtes - I don't like to go into the forest, there are too many creatures. (adj) - stupid, silly, foolish Qu'est-ce qu'il est bête ! - He's so stupid! Related: comme une bête - like a dog: travailler comme une bête - to work like a dog / like crazy, malade comme une bête - sick as a dog; être bête comme ses pieds - to be as thick as two short planks / a real idiot; chercher la petite bête - to nit-pick Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "Introduction to the French Word Une Bête." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/une-bete-vocabulary-1371624. Team, ThoughtCo. (2023, April 5). Introduction to the French Word Une Bête. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/une-bete-vocabulary-1371624 Team, ThoughtCo. "Introduction to the French Word Une Bête." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/une-bete-vocabulary-1371624 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation