French Conversation · Level 23
90 words
French word
amer
Pronunciation
IPA/amɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivebitter
Example
Ce médicament est amer.
This medicine is bitter.
More examples
Ce commentaire lui a laissé un souvenir amer.
This comment left him with a bitter memory.
Core concept
A dense bitterness that stays at the back of the mouth and colors an experience with disappointment.
Common phrases
laisser un goût amer
leave a bitter taste
Similar words
aigre: Having a sharp sour taste felt at the tongue tip or throughout the mouth.
sucré: Having a sweet taste like sugar or fruit.
salé: Having a distinct salty taste on the tongue.
épicé: Having a tingling heat or sharpness from chili peppers or spices.
Definition in French
Qui a un goût amer caractéristique du café ou du chocolat noir; sert aussi à décrire une impression de déception ou d'amertume.
Word origin
French amer comes through Old French from Latin amarus, meaning 'bitter', and is related to Italian amaro and Spanish amargo.
Usage tips
- French uses amer for bitterness, while aigre describes sourness, so the two adjectives are not interchangeable.
Other meanings
- resentfuladjective
Opposites
- sucrésweetadjective
Related words
- amertumebitternessnoun
- amèrementbitterlyadverb