French Conversation · Level 57
74 words
French word
couler
Pronunciation
IPA/kule/
Meaning
- verbflow
Example
L'eau coule sur le sol.
The water flows over the floor.
More examples
Le robinet coule toute la nuit.
The faucet leaks all night.
Core concept
A liquid runs continuously along a surface or groove, usually downward under gravity.
Common phrases
l'eau coule
Water flows
le robinet coule
the faucet leaks
Similar words
s'écouler: To run gently and continuously along a groove or channel.
se répandre: To spread outward and reach the surrounding area as a liquid or powder.
fuir: To escape through a gap or crack as a liquid or gas.
Definition in French
Se déplacer de façon continue, en parlant surtout d'un liquide qui suit une surface ou un sillon sous l'effet de la gravité.
Word origin
French couler comes through Old French coler from Latin colare, meaning to strain or pass through, and developed around the idea of flowing through.
Usage tips
- Couler is normally intransitive for a liquid, while faire couler makes someone or something cause the liquid to flow.
Other meanings
- sinkverb
- bleedverb
Opposites
- stagnerstagnateverb
- arrêterstopverb
Related words
- couléeflownoun
- coulantrunnyadjective
- coulagepouringnoun