French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
brusque
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁysk/
Meaning
- adjectivecurt
Example
Le serveur a été brusque.
The server was curt.
More examples
Elle a un ton brusque quand elle est pressée.
She has an abrupt tone when she is in a hurry.
Core concept
A clipped reply or movement that lands suddenly and leaves little room for warmth.
Common phrases
réponse brusque
abrupt response
ton brusque
abrupt tone
attitude brusque
abrupt attitude
Similar words
sec: Using short, curt words or a manner that lacks warmth.
impoli: Showing poor manners and seeming rude or disrespectful.
Definition in French
Qui donne l'impression d'être sec ou peu aimable par des mots ou des gestes courts et directs.
Word origin
Brusque entered French through Italian brusco, whose sense of roughness developed into the modern sense of abrupt conduct.
Usage tips
- The final e in brusque is silent, and c has the /k/ sound, giving the adjective one syllable in speech.
Other meanings
- abruptadjective
- unfriendlyadjective
Related words
- brusquementabruptlyadverb
- brusquerhandle roughlyverb