French Conversation · Level 125
55 words
French word
débouler
Pronunciation
IPA/debule/
Meaning
- verbshow up
Example
Il déboule sans prévenir.
He suddenly shows up without warning.
More examples
Les enfants déboulent en trombe dans le salon.
The children come rushing into the living room.
Core concept
A person suddenly bursts through a doorway and lands in the middle of a scene.
Common phrases
débouler en trombe
come rushing in
débouler chez moi
suddenly show up at my place
Similar words
arriver: To reach a destination.
entrer: To go into a room or building.
surgir: To emerge without warning.
Definition in French
Pénétrer ou surgir de façon brusque et inattendue dans un lieu ou dans une situation.
Word origin
Débouler formed from dé- and bouler, 'to roll', first describing a rapid rolling movement and later a sudden arrival or intrusion.
Usage tips
- Débouler is vivid and informal, and it commonly takes dans or chez to specify where someone suddenly arrives.
Other meanings
- rush inverb
- tumble downverb
- barge inverb
Opposites
- s'éloignermove awayverb