French Conversation · Level 166
15 words
French word
basculer
Pronunciation
IPA/baskyle/
Meaning
- verbtip over
Example
La table bascule.
The table tips over.
More examples
La chaise a basculé quand il s'est levé.
The chair tipped over when he stood up.
Core concept
A supported object swings past its balance point, suddenly turning from upright to overturned.
Common phrases
basculer en avant
tip forward
basculer sur le côté
tip onto its side
faire basculer
tip over
Similar words
tomber: Fall into a particular situation or state.
passer: Gradually move into another stage or state.
glisser: Slide gradually into a slightly different position or state.
bouleverser: Greatly disrupt things or feelings, causing major change.
Definition in French
Se renverser ou se retourner en pivotant sur un point d'appui, souvent de façon soudaine.
Word origin
French bascule supplied the base for basculer, whose -er ending forms a verb for pivoting or tipping around a support.
Usage tips
- For a change of state, basculer dans introduces the new condition, while basculer de ... à ... marks movement between two states.
Other meanings
- fall oververb
- tiltverb
Opposites
- redresserrightverb
- stabiliserstabilizeverb
Related words
- basculetiltnoun
- basculétipped overadjective