French Conversation · Level 135
30 words
French word
figer
Pronunciation
IPA/fiʒe/
Meaning
- verbstiffen
Example
À la vue du serpent, son visage s'est figé.
At the sight of the snake, his face stiffened.
More examples
À la surprise générale, il s'est figé sur place.
To everyone's surprise, he froze in place.
Core concept
Something suddenly locked in place, whether a face, a body, or a liquid becoming solid.
Common phrases
se figer sur place
freeze in place
se figer de peur
freeze with fear
figer le sourire
stiffen the smile
Similar words
s'arrêter: Come to a stop while moving or performing an action.
s'immobiliser: Stop moving and remain completely still.
se raidir: Stiffen as the muscles become strongly tense.
se crisper: Tense up, especially in the face, producing a strained expression.
Definition in French
Devenir immobile ou rendre immobile, surtout quand une personne est saisie de surprise, de peur ou du froid ; s'emploie aussi pour décrire une substance qui durcit.
Word origin
Figer is an inherited verb from Latin figere through Old French; the idea of fixing gave rise to both hardening and motionless states.
Usage tips
- The pronominal form se figer commonly describes a person or expression becoming motionless, while figer can directly cause something to stop or harden.