French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
saisissant
Pronunciation
IPA/sezisɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivestriking
Example
C'est saisissant.
It's striking.
More examples
Le film était saisissant.
The film was gripping.
Core concept
A scene that grips attention at once and stays vivid in the mind.
Common phrases
un film saisissant
a gripping film
un portrait saisissant
a striking portrait
un passage saisissant
a powerful passage
Similar words
impressionnant: Impressive enough to make a strong and lasting impact.
frappant: Strikingly clear or noticeable, immediately drawing attention.
étonnant: Causing surprise or wonder through something unexpected.
marquant: Memorable because it leaves a lasting mark on the mind.
Definition in French
Qui provoque une émotion vive ou une surprise marquante et laisse une impression durable auprès de l'auditeur ou du spectateur.
Word origin
Saisissant is the present participle of saisir, meaning to seize or grasp, later used adjectivally for something that figuratively grips emotions or attention.
Usage tips
- As an adjective, saisissant agrees in gender: saisissant is masculine and saisissante is feminine, while the plural adds -s.
Other meanings
- shockingadjective
- vividadjective
Opposites
- banalordinaryadjective
- fadeblandadjective
Related words
- saisimovedadjective