1. Mean (as in unkind):
* méchant (masculine) / méchante (feminine) - This is the most common translation for "mean" in the sense of being unkind or cruel.
* mauvais (masculine) / mauvaise (feminine) - This can also mean "mean" in the sense of being unkind, but it's more general and can also mean "bad" or "evil."
2. Mean (as in average):
* moyen (masculine) / moyenne (feminine) - This is used to describe something that is average or typical. For example, "la moyenne des notes" means "the average of the grades."
3. Mean (as in intend):
* vouloir dire - This translates to "to mean" in the sense of intending to convey a specific message.
4. Mean (as in signify):
* signifier - This is a more formal word meaning "to signify" or "to represent."
Examples:
* "Il est un garçon méchant." - He is a mean boy.
* "La température moyenne est de 20 degrés." - The average temperature is 20 degrees.
* "Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire par là?" - What do you mean by that?
* "Ce symbole signifie la paix." - This symbol signifies peace.
To know the exact meaning of "mean" in French, you need to consider the context of the sentence.