French Conversation · Level 151
30 words
French word
froisser
Pronunciation
IPA/fʁwase/
Meaning
- verboffend
Example
Je ne veux pas te froisser.
I don't want to offend you.
More examples
Fais attention à tes paroles pour ne pas froisser ton ami.
Watch your words so you don't offend your friend.
Core concept
A smooth surface is lightly creased, like a person's pride after an awkward remark.
Common phrases
froisser quelqu'un
offend someone
se froisser avec quelqu'un
take offense at someone
Similar words
offenser: To deeply offend someone and make them angry.
vexer: To annoy someone and put them in a bad mood.
blesser: To cause deep emotional pain or hurt.
gêner: To make someone feel uncomfortable or ill at ease.
Definition in French
Causer à quelqu'un une gêne ou une offense, blesser légèrement son amour-propre; s'emploie aussi pour plier ou chiffonner un tissu ou du papier.
Word origin
Froisser comes through Old French froissier, originally meaning to crease or crush cloth or paper, with the physical disturbance later extended to hurt feelings.
Usage tips
- In the figurative sense, froisser takes a person as its direct object, as in froisser quelqu'un; se froisser means to take offense.