French word

paniquer

Pronunciation

IPA/panike/

Meaning

  • verbpanic

Example

Ne panique pas, je vais t'aider.

Don't panic, I'll help you.

Illustration for paniquer (panic)

More examples

Elle panique facilement avant un examen.

She panics easily before an exam.

Core concept

A sudden surge of fear throws normal thinking and action off balance.

Common phrases

  • paniquer facilement

    panic easily

  • se mettre à paniquer

    start to panic

Similar words

s'inquiéter: Be in an anxious state because worries keep occupying the mind.
avoir peur: Experience fear or feel frightened.

Definition in French

Ressentir une peur vive et soudaine qui trouble le calme et empêche d'agir ou de réfléchir normalement.

Word origin

French formed paniquer from the noun panique with the verb ending -er; panique ultimately comes from Greek panikos, linked to the god Pan and sudden terror.

Usage tips

  • Paniquer is normally intransitive, while faire paniquer quelqu'un means 'to make someone panic'.

Opposites

  • garder son sang-froidkeep one's coolverb

Related words

  • paniquepanicnoun
  • paniquépanickedadjective

Word lists with this word