French Conversation · Level 165
27 words
French word
fracasser
Pronunciation
IPA/fʁakase/
Meaning
- verbshatter
Example
Il a fracassé la vitre.
He shattered the window.
More examples
Le vase s'est fracassé en tombant.
The vase shattered when it fell.
Core concept
A hard object takes a violent blow and bursts into useless shards.
Common phrases
se fracasser contre le sol
crash into the ground
fracasser la porte
smash the door
fracasser l'écran
smash the screen
Similar words
casser: Split or break an object through physical force.
briser: Reduce a hard object to small broken pieces.
écraser: Flatten an object by pressing it with great force.
détruire: Wipe out an object or building entirely.
Definition in French
Briser violemment quelque chose en très petits morceaux, souvent au point de le rendre inutilisable.
Word origin
French fracasser was borrowed from Italian fracassare, a verb associated with fracasso, or a crashing noise.
Usage tips
- Unlike the milder casser, fracasser suggests violent, extensive damage, while se fracasser can describe a person or vehicle crashing.