souffler
- Dictionary
souffler
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., éternuer.).
1. (weather)
a. to blow
Quand le vent souffle, les feuilles dansent sur le sol.When the wind blows, the leaves dance on the ground.
b. to be windy
Je voulais organiser la réception dans le jardin, mais ça souffle trop fort.I wanted to hold the reception in the garden, but it's too windy.
2. (to exhale)
a. to breathe out
Inspirez par le nez et soufflez par la bouche.Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth.
a. to breathe hard
Sarah soufflait parce qu'elle venait de prendre les escaliers.Sarah was breathing hard because she had just taken the stairs.
a. to catch one’s breath
La joueuse s’est assise pour souffler avant la reprise du match.The player sat down to catch her breath before the game resumed.
b. to take a breather
Les randonneurs ont profité de la pause déjeuner pour souffler.The hikers took advantage of the lunch break to take a breather.
a. to sigh
Tu n’arrêtes pas de souffler depuis ce matin. Il y a un problème ?You've been sighing since this morning. Is there a problem?
6. (figurative) (to rest)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to take a break
Après 15 ans d’une vie professionnelle intense, Basile voulait souffler et prendre soin de lui.After 15 years of intense professional life, Basile wanted to take a break and take care of himself.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
a. to blow out
La petite fille a soufflé les bougies avant qu’elles ne fondent sur le gâteau.The little girl blew out the candles before they melted on the cake.
a. to blow
À quoi ça sert, cette longue canne ? - À souffler le verre.What is this long rod for? - For blowing glass.
9. (to destroy)
a. to blow up
L’explosion a complètement soufflé les vitres du rez-de-chaussée.The explosion completely blew up the windows on the ground floor.
10. (figurative) (to take aback)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to blow away (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Quand Michaël a annoncé la nouvelle, cela a soufflé tout le monde.When Michaël announced the news, it blew everyone away.
a. to whisper
J’ai un secret à te dire. Approche-toi que je te le souffle à l’oreille.I have a secret to tell you. Come closer so I can whisper it in your ear.
b. to prompt
Quand je jouais la pièce avec Marion, je devais sans arrêt lui souffler son texte.When I performed the play with Marion, I had to constantly prompt her with her lines.
12. (colloquial) (to steal)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to pinch (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
On m’a soufflé ma place pendant que j’étais aux toilettes.Someone pinched my seat while I was in the restroom.
13. (checkers)
a. to huff
Si tu ne prends pas ce pion, ton adversaire soufflera le tien.If you don't take this piece, your opponent will huff yours.
Conjugations
Indicative of "souffler"
Present | Imperfect | Past Historic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | ||||
| tu | ||||
| il/elle | ||||
| nous | ||||
| vous | ||||
| ils/elles |
Collins French Verb Conjugation Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2023
Examples
Phrases
Random Word
Roll the dice and learn a new word now!
