French word

émouvoir

Pronunciation

IPA/emuvwaʁ/

Meaning

  • verbmove

Example

Ton discours m'émeut beaucoup.

Your speech moves me a lot.

Illustration for émouvoir (move)

More examples

Ce spectacle m'émeut toujours.

This show always moves me.

Core concept

A deep feeling moves through someone and stirs the inner self, sometimes bringing tears.

Common phrases

  • s'émouvoir de

    be moved by

  • émouvoir quelqu'un

    move someone

Similar words

toucher: To reach someone's heart and stir their emotions.
attendrir: To awaken tenderness or compassion and make the heart gentler.
bouleverser: To cause profound emotional turmoil, shock, or confusion.
ébranler: To disturb someone's inner stability or challenge their convictions.

Definition in French

Toucher profondément quelqu'un au point de provoquer une réaction émotionnelle intérieure, parfois visible comme les larmes.

Word origin

Émouvoir comes from Latin emovere, meaning 'to move out or stir', through Old French before reaching its modern French form.

Usage tips

  • Émouvoir takes a direct object, as in Ton discours m'émeut, while être ému describes the person who feels moved.

Related words

Word lists with this word