French Conversation · Level 14
89 words
French word
brûler
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁyle/
Meaning
- verbburn
Example
Ne brûle pas les papiers ici.
Don't burn the papers here.
More examples
Le bois a brûlé rapidement.
The wood burned quickly.
Core concept
A flame eats through material until its form, color, or substance is rapidly altered or gone.
Common phrases
brûler du bois
burn wood
brûler une lettre
burn a letter
Similar words
griller: To grill food over direct flame or high heat, browning the surface and adding flavor.
cuire: To cook food through with heat so it becomes a finished dish.
Definition in French
Faire brûler quelque chose ou être réduit par le feu; s'emploie aussi pour parler d'une action qui consume rapidement, au sens propre ou au figuré.
Word origin
The modern form brûler developed from Old French brusler and bruler, which continue a Gallo-Romance form related to Latin ustulare.
Usage tips
- The infinitive brûler and past participle brûlé are pronounced alike, so their grammatical role identifies the form in speech.