French word

choc

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɔk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounimpact

Example

Le choc a fissuré le pare-brise.

The impact cracked the windshield.

Illustration for choc (impact)

More examples

Elle a reçu un choc en voyant la photo.

She received a shock when she saw the photo.

Core concept

A hard impact arriving without warning and leaving a person intensely shaken.

Common phrases

  • recevoir un choc

    receive a shock

  • provoquer un choc

    cause a shock

  • un choc émotionnel

    an emotional shock

Similar words

impact: The force transmitted when one object collides with another.
coup: A forceful blow or strike received by someone or something.
secousse: A brief, powerful shaking or vibration.
surprise: A momentary feeling of astonishment caused by something unexpected.

Definition in French

Sensation soudaine et intense ressentie par une personne à la suite d'un événement surprenant ou traumatisant.

Word origin

French choc developed from an earlier form, choque, associated with physical collision, before acquiring its emotional sense of severe inner disturbance.

Usage tips

  • Avoir un choc means to experience a shock, while être choqué means to be shocked.

Other meanings

  • collisionnoun
  • blownoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word