French word

nerf

Pronunciation

IPA/nɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnerve

Example

J'ai un nerf coincé dans le cou.

I have a pinched nerve in my neck.

Illustration for nerf (nerve)

More examples

J'ai un nerf coincé dans l'épaule.

I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder.

Core concept

A branching biological cable linking tissues to the central nervous system.

Common phrases

  • un nerf coincé

    a pinched nerve

  • le nerf sciatique

    the sciatic nerve

Similar words

douleur: Pain felt in a part of the body or the condition of experiencing pain.
tension: A state of tightened muscles or heightened mental tension.
stress: A burden on the mind or body that produces tension and anxiety.

Definition in French

Faisceau de fibres nerveuses permettant la transmission d'impulsions électriques entre les organes et le système nerveux central.

Word origin

The French noun nerf descends from Latin nervus via Old French; earlier uses included a tough cord or tendon, which fits the word's modern sense of a nerve.

Usage tips

  • The final f is normally silent in nerf, and nerfs is pronounced the same way.

Related words

  • nerveuxnervousadjective
  • nervositénervousnessnoun

Word lists with this word