French Conversation · Level 11
89 words
French word
bouillir
Pronunciation
IPA/bujiʁ/
Meaning
- verbboil
Example
Si tu chauffes trop, l'eau va bouillir.
If you turn up the heat too high, the water will boil.
More examples
Fais bouillir l'eau avant d'ajouter les pâtes.
Boil the water before adding the pasta.
Core concept
Liquid churning with vigorous bubbles as heat turns part of it into steam.
Common phrases
faire bouillir de l'eau
boil water
faire bouillir le lait
boil the milk
Similar words
faire bouillir: To bring a liquid to the boil by heating it.
chauffer: To make an object or liquid warmer.
cuire: To cook food by heating it all the way through.
frémir: To simmer gently, with small bubbles rising in the liquid.
Definition in French
Atteindre l'état où un liquide, chauffé, produit rapidement des bulles et de la vapeur.
Word origin
Bouillir is an inherited French verb from Latin bullire, 'to bubble', with a root linked to Latin bulla, 'bubble'.
Usage tips
- French uses bouillir for a liquid being at the boil, but faire bouillir for bringing a liquid to the boil.