débiles

Débiles is a French pejorative term used to describe people perceived as lacking intelligence or judgment. The word functions as a noun in phrases like les débiles and as an adjective c'est débile. Its etymology traces to débile from Latin debilis meaning weak, originally used in medical or clinical contexts to describe mental deficiency. Over time, in common parlance, it acquired a broad pejorative sense meaning stupid or foolish. In contemporary usage, débile is considered insulting and offensive to many speakers, particularly when aimed at individuals with disabilities, and its use is often discouraged in formal writing or respectful conversation.

In social and media contexts, débile is common in informal speech, online forums, and popular culture as an expression of frustration or contempt. The plural débiles can refer to a group perceived as lacking intelligence, though the term tends to be criticized for stigmatizing people with disabilities and for demeaning cognitive differences generally. Critics emphasize language that avoids dehumanization or ableism, recommending more precise or neutral expressions such as personne peu avisée or simply focusing on specific actions rather than labeling a person.

Related terms include imbecile, idiot, and stupid, with varying degrees of severity and historical baggage. In linguistic studies, débile is analyzed as a pejorative that reflects social attitudes toward intelligence, rationality, and disability.