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jolie laide

/ʒɔ.li lɛd/

adjective/ʒɔ.li lɛd/

unconventionally attractive

Literally, “pretty [and] ugly”, or more loosely translated as “with unusual, flawed or quirky good looks”.

noun, feminine/ʒɔ.li lɛd/plural: jolies laides

A woman who is unconventionally attractive.

Il ne voudrait jamais quitter les deux flèches de Sainte-Croix, ni sa petite ville noire, boiteuse, bossue, bâtie de travers, mais entourée d'herbe tendre et d'eau pure, baignée d'un ciel doux et qui, comme toutes les villes normandes, est une jolie laide.

Literally, “pretty [and] ugly”, or more loosely translated as “with unusual, flawed or quirky good looks”.