néfastes

Néfastes is a French term that can function as an adjective or, less commonly, as a plural noun. As an adjective, néfaste describes something harmful, injurious, or deleterious, often implying negative consequences or ill fortune. When used as a noun in the plural form néfastes, it refers to harmful things or effects, though in practice the more common construction is the phrase les effets néfastes or les conséquences néfastes.

Etymology and sense: Néfastes derives from the French adjective néfaste, which in turn comes from Latin nefastus meaning ill-omened or wicked. The word has a formal or literary flavor and is frequently found in discussions of risks, health, environment, and policy.

Usage: In modern French, néfaste describes phenomena that produce harm or misfortune. Typical collocations include effets néfastes, conséquences néfastes, and influence néfaste. For example, the sentence les effets néfastes de la pollution is a standard way to express harmful impacts. The term can also describe persons or actions in a pejorative sense, as in un individu néfaste.

Register and alternatives: Néfaste carries a relatively formal or elevated tone. Common synonyms include nocif, dommageable, néfaste et funeste; the choice depends on nuance. In everyday language, phrases like les effets négatifs or les dommages peuvent être preferred to avoid grandeur of style.

See also: Funeste, nocif, dommageable, effets secondaires, conséquences négatives. Note that in English, the direct translation rarely uses néfaste as a standalone noun; context usually calls for effets néfastes or conséquences néfastes.