It literally translates to "the middle class," and it is commonly used to refer to people who are neither wealthy nor poor, but rather fall somewhere in between.
However, there are other terms you might encounter that capture different nuances of the middle class:
* "Bourgeoisie": This term historically referred to the merchant class, but it's often used today to denote a more privileged or upper-middle class.
* "Petite bourgeoisie": This term refers to the lower middle class, typically made up of white-collar workers and small business owners.
* "Classe moyenne supérieure": This refers to the upper middle class, typically with higher incomes and education levels.
It's important to note that the term "middle class" is quite broad and its definition can vary depending on the context.