mauvaise foi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal/Academic
Quick answer
What does “mauvaise foi” mean?
The philosophical concept of 'bad faith' or self-deception.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The philosophical concept of 'bad faith' or self-deception; the condition where a person denies their own freedom and responsibility by adopting false values or acting inauthentically.
In more general use, it refers to insincerity, dishonesty, or deceitfulness in one's intentions or actions, especially when pretending to believe something one does not.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is understood in both varieties, but is more likely to be used and encountered in British academic and literary circles due to historical ties to continental philosophy.
Connotations
Carries strong intellectual/philosophical connotations. In American usage, it may sometimes be replaced with 'bad faith' in non-specialist contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in specialized academic texts. More likely to appear in British book reviews, cultural commentary, and humanities dissertations.
Grammar
How to Use “mauvaise foi” in a Sentence
[Subject] is guilty of mauvaise foi.[Subject] accused [Object] of mauvaise foi.It was an act of pure mauvaise foi.His life was characterised by mauvaise foi.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mauvaise foi” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He mauvaise-foied his way through the interview.
- They are mauvaise-foijing their commitment to the agreement.
American English
- She mauvaise-foied her reasons for leaving.
- Politicians often mauvaise-foi their constituents.
adverb
British English
- He acted mauvaise-foily.
- She smiled mauvaise-foily.
American English
- He spoke mauvaise-foily about his past.
- The contract was mauvaise-foily constructed.
adjective
British English
- His was a mauvaise-foi existence.
- A mauvaise-foi argument.
American English
- Her apology seemed mauvaise-foi.
- It was a mauvaise-foi negotiation tactic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in high-level criticism of corporate ethics: 'The company's sustainability report was dismissed as an exercise in mauvaise foi.'
Academic
Primary context. Common in philosophy, literary theory, critical sociology, and political theory essays.
Everyday
Very rare. Would mark the speaker as highly educated or pretentious.
Technical
Used as a precise term in existentialist and phenomenological philosophy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mauvaise foi”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mauvaise foi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mauvaise foi”
- Mispronouncing as /mɔːˈveɪz/ or /ˈmɔːveɪs/.
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'hypocrisy'. Hypocrisy is about deceiving others; mauvaise foi is primarily about deceiving oneself.
- Using it in casual contexts where 'dishonesty' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Lying is a conscious deception of others. Mauvaise foi is primarily self-deception, where the individual convinces themselves of something they know, on some level, is not true, to avoid uncomfortable truths about freedom and responsibility.
Yes, it is standard practice to italicise this and other loan phrases that are not fully naturalised in English, especially in formal academic writing.
It is not a legal term of art in English common law. The related but distinct concept of 'bad faith' is used in legal contexts (e.g., 'bad faith bargaining'). Using 'mauvaise foi' in a legal brief would be highly unusual and potentially confusing.
First, understand its philosophical roots by reading Sartre. Then, use it only in analytical contexts where you are specifically describing a state of inauthenticity or self-deception regarding one's own freedom. Avoid it in everyday conversation.
The philosophical concept of 'bad faith' or self-deception.
Mauvaise foi is usually formal/academic in register.
Mauvaise foi: in British English it is pronounced /ˌməʊveɪz ˈfwɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmoʊˌveɪz ˈfwɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To live in mauvaise foi.”
- “A theatre of mauvaise foi.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a waiter (like Sartre's example) who *moves* (mauvaise sounds like 'move') through his role with *false* (foi) consciousness, pretending it's his essence, not his choice.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PERFORMANCE (where mauvaise foi is playing a role one denies is a performance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'mauvaise foi' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?