French Conversation · Level 139
30 words
French word
écouler
Pronunciation
IPA/ekule/
Meaning
- verbsell
Example
Ces produits s'écoulent rapidement.
These products sell quickly.
More examples
Il faut écouler les stocks avant la fin du mois.
The inventory needs to be cleared out before the end of the month.
Core concept
Goods leave the seller's hands in a steady flow through sales or transfer.
Common phrases
écouler des produits
sell products
écouler des stocks
clear out inventory
s'écouler rapidement
sell quickly
Similar words
vendre: Exchange goods or services for payment.
revendre: Sell something previously bought to another person.
liquider: Sell unsold goods or stock in bulk to clear it.
brader: Sell stock cheaply to move it quickly.
Definition in French
Faire disparaître un stock par la vente ou la cession; écouler peut être transitif (écouler des marchandises) ou pronominal (s'écouler) pour indiquer qu'un produit se vend.
Word origin
The verb descends from Old French escouler, associated with couler and the Latin outward prefix ex-, meaning to cause something to flow out.
Usage tips
- In the pronominal form, s'écouler can also mean that time or a liquid passes, so the surrounding noun determines the sense.