French Conversation · Level 179
15 words
French word
cafard
Pronunciation
IPA/kafaʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounblues
Example
J'ai le cafard.
I have the blues.
More examples
Cette chanson me donne le cafard.
This song makes me feel gloomy.
Core concept
A small inner shadow that makes ordinary movement feel heavy.
Common phrases
donner le cafard
make ___ feel gloomy
un gros cafard
a severe bout of depression
Similar words
tristesse: A lasting sadness brought on by painful events or memories.
déprime: A temporary low mood that leaves little motivation for anything.
blues: An informal feeling of being generally down and lacking energy.
dépression: A deep, prolonged low mood that disrupts everyday life.
Definition in French
Sensation de découragement ou d'abattement souvent sans cause précise; nom familier pour décrire un manque de moral.
Word origin
French cafard first had meanings connected with an unpleasant creature and later acquired its figurative mood sense, although the original source is not certain.
Usage tips
- The fixed everyday expression is avoir le cafard, not être cafard; J'ai le cafard is the natural pattern.