French Conversation · Level 53
75 words
French word
bouleversement
Pronunciation
IPA/buləvɛʁsəmɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine noundrastic change
Example
Le bouleversement a surpris tout le monde.
The drastic change surprised everyone.
More examples
La pandémie a provoqué un bouleversement majeur dans nos habitudes.
The pandemic caused a major upheaval in our habits.
Core concept
A powerful shock that sweeps away an established situation and leaves a new one in its place.
Common phrases
un bouleversement majeur
a major upheaval
causer un bouleversement
cause an upheaval
Similar words
changement: A change from one state or condition to another.
choc: A sudden event or piece of news causing severe mental or situational shock.
désordre: A state of confusion and lack of order.
catastrophe: A disaster or event causing extensive damage or destruction.
Definition in French
Changement profond et souvent soudain qui transforme l'état d'une personne, d'une société ou d'une situation.
Word origin
The noun bouleversement is formed from bouleverser and preserves the older image of overturning something, later applied to major change.
Usage tips
- For personal emotional distress, French commonly uses être bouleversé, while bouleversement usually names the event or change.
Other meanings
- confusionnoun
- shocknoun
- upsetnoun
Opposites
- stabilitéstabilitynoun
- continuitécontinuitynoun
Related words
- bouleverserupsetverb
- bouleversantshockingadjective
- bouleverséshakenadjective