French Conversation · Level 112
59 words
French word
soupir
Pronunciation
IPA/supiʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounsigh
Example
Il a laissé échapper un soupir en voyant la facture.
He let out a sigh upon seeing the bill.
More examples
Elle a poussé un soupir de soulagement en apprenant la bonne nouvelle.
She let out a sigh of relief upon learning the good news.
Core concept
A short breath escaping through the mouth as feeling becomes audible.
Common phrases
pousser un soupir
let out a sigh
un soupir de soulagement
a sigh of relief
laisser échapper un soupir
let out a sigh
Similar words
souffle: Breath exhaled from the lungs, or the strength of that breath.
gémissement: A weak, prolonged sound or breath-like noise caused by pain or sadness.
Definition in French
Expulsion brève et parfois audible d'air par la bouche, exprimant généralement une émotion, une fatigue ou un soulagement.
Word origin
Soupir comes through Old French from Latin suspirare, formed with the prefix sub- or sus- and spirare, 'to breathe'.
Usage tips
- Soupir is masculine, so the usual article is un soupir rather than une soupir.