French word

bercer

Pronunciation

IPA/bɛʁse/

Meaning

  • verblull

Example

Peux-tu bercer le bébé ce soir ?

Can you lull the baby to sleep tonight?

Illustration for bercer (lull)

More examples

Le grand-père aime bercer sa petite-fille sur ses genoux.

The grandfather likes to lull his granddaughter on his lap.

Core concept

A rhythmic rocking motion that carries something gently from side to side until tension gives way to calm or sleep.

Common phrases

  • bercer un enfant

    lull a child

  • bercer le bébé dans ses bras

    rock the baby in one's arms

Similar words

endormir: Put someone to sleep.
balancer: Swing something from side to side or back and forth.
calmer: Calm someone who is crying or highly agitated.

Definition in French

Faire osciller doucement un enfant ou un objet de manière rythmée pour le calmer ou l'endormir.

Word origin

Old French bercier is the source of modern bercer and is related to berceau, the cradle, with berceuse in the same family.

Usage tips

  • Bercer takes a direct object, as in bercer le bébé; endormir can mean putting someone to sleep without saying that rocking causes it.

Other meanings

  • rockverb

Opposites

Related words

  • berçantpleasantly rockingadjective
  • berceuselullabynoun

Word lists with this word