French word

cauchemar

Pronunciation

IPA/koʃəmaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnightmare

Example

La circulation était un cauchemar ce matin.

Traffic was a nightmare this morning.

Illustration for cauchemar (nightmare)

More examples

J'ai fait un cauchemar terrible cette nuit.

I had a terrible nightmare last night.

Core concept

A night presence pressing down on a trapped sleeper, then any ordeal that feels equally inescapable.

Common phrases

  • faire un cauchemar

    have a nightmare

  • se réveiller d'un cauchemar

    wake up from a nightmare

  • vivre un cauchemar

    go through a nightmare

Similar words

rêve: Mental images or events experienced while sleeping.
peur: A state of alarm in response to danger or possible harm.
anxiété: Persistent unease about what may happen or how a situation may develop.

Definition in French

Rêve angoissant provoquant réveil ou malaise; au figuré, expérience ou situation extrêmement pénible.

Word origin

The word combines Old French caucher, 'to press down', with Germanic mare, a night spirit believed to oppress sleepers.

Usage tips

  • Cauchemar is masculine, so the standard forms are un cauchemar and ce cauchemar.

Opposites

Related words

  • cauchemardesquenightmarishadjective

Word lists with this word