Inappropriés

Inappropriés is the plural masculine form of the French adjective inapproprié, meaning not appropriate or unsuitable in a given context. The term is formed by adding the negative prefix in- to approprié. It is used to describe behavior, language, attire, or content that does not meet the norms, standards, or expectations of a setting, audience, or purpose.

In practice, inappropriés are items or actions considered unsuitable for a particular situation. They commonly appear in education, workplaces, media, and online platforms, where such items may be flagged, restricted, or removed, sometimes with a warning. Examples include des propos inappropriés (inappropriate remarks), des contenus inappropriés (inappropriate content), or un vêtement inapproprié (an inappropriate garment).

The assessment of what is inapproprié can be subjective and culturally dependent, varying by age, context, and policy guidelines. While some expressions of impropriety are clearly defined by laws or formal rules (for instance, sexual content or hate speech), others rely on normative judgments within a given community or institution.

Linguistic notes: the feminine forms are inappropriée (singular) and inappropriées (plural). The term is widely used in both formal and informal French and is often paired with nouns such as comportements, propos, contenus, or vêtements to describe what fails to meet expected standards of propriety.