égyptien

Égyptien is a French word that functions as both a demonym and an adjective. As a noun, it designates a person from Egypt: un Égyptien (masculine) or une Égyptienne (feminine). In the plural: des Égyptiens or des Égyptiennes. As an adjective, it relates to Egypt, its people, culture, geography, or language: civilisation égyptienne, art égyptien, cuisine égyptienne.

The term is used for both modern Egyptians and historical references to the people of ancient Egypt, though more precise phrases are common when referring to antiquity. For example, égyptien ancien or ancien Égyptien is often preferred in academic contexts to distinguish the ancient civilization and its language from modern Egypt.

Etymology traces the word to the land name Égypte in French, which itself derives from Latin Aegyptus, via Greek Aigyptos. This lineage parallels related terms in many European languages that connect nationality and regional identity to the name of the country.

In contemporary usage, égyptien commonly denotes nationality or origin, as in political, cultural, or demographic contexts. It can also describe cultural or linguistic associations, such as égyptien cuisine or égyptienne music, using the feminine form when describing feminine nouns. For language-specific references, French typically distinguishes entre les langues: the modern spoken language is Arabic (arabe égyptien for Egyptian Arabic), while ancient Egyptian is referred to as ancien égyptien in linguistic discussions, and the script is Egyptian hieroglyphs.

See also: Égypte, Égyptologie, Égyptien de la diaspora. The term is standard in French-language texts for identifying people or things connected with Egypt.