French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
pétiller
Pronunciation
IPA/petije/
Meaning
- verbfizz
Example
L'eau pétille quand on ouvre la bouteille.
The water fizzes when you open the bottle.
More examples
Ses yeux pétillent quand elle raconte une bonne histoire.
Her eyes sparkle when she tells a good story.
Core concept
Tiny bubbles rise and pop in a lively stream, like a drink that seems to sparkle with energy.
Common phrases
pétiller de joie
sparkle with joy
pétiller en bouche
fizz in the mouth
faire pétiller
make ___ fizz
Similar words
briller: To glow strongly and look bright.
scintiller: To twinkle as small points of light flicker and sparkle.
mousser: To produce a mass of fine bubbles on or throughout a liquid.
bouillir: To boil rapidly at high heat, bubbling intensely.
Definition in French
Produire de petites bulles qui éclatent légèrement dans un liquide; s'emploie aussi au figuré pour un éclat vif ou joyeux.
Word origin
Pétiller comes from Middle French pétiller, related to Latin petillare, meaning "to crackle," and keeps the idea of repeated small popping sounds.
Usage tips
- With eyes, expressions, or personalities, pétiller de often signals lively brightness, as in pétiller de joie.
Other meanings
- sparkleverb
Opposites
- s'aplatirgo flatverb
Related words
- pétillantsparklingadjective
- pétillancefizzinessnoun