French Conversation · Level 125
55 words
French word
branlant
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁɑ̃lɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivewobbly
Example
La table est branlante.
The table is wobbly.
More examples
Sa situation est branlante en ce moment.
His situation is unstable right now.
Core concept
A shaky support whose balance, position, or strength cannot be trusted.
Common phrases
situation branlante
unstable situation
position branlante
precarious position
Similar words
bancal: Unsteady because its legs or base are uneven.
instable: Not firmly stable and prone to movement or change.
fragile: Easily broken or deformed by an outside force.
précaire: Weakly supported or founded, and unlikely to last.
Definition in French
S'utilise pour décrire quelque chose de précaire ou qui se balance facilement, tant au sens concret qu'au sens figuré.
Word origin
The adjective branlant comes from branler through its present participle branlant, linking physical swaying with later figurative instability.
Usage tips
- Branlant can describe abstract things such as a position or argument, where it means weak or insecure rather than physically moving.
Other meanings
- unstableadjective
- precariousadjective
Opposites
- stablestableadjective
- fermefirmadjective
Related words
- branlerwobbleverb
- branlementswayingnoun