French word

soupirer

Pronunciation

IPA/supiʁe/

Meaning

  • verbsigh

Example

Il a soupiré en voyant la facture.

He sighed when he saw the bill.

Illustration for soupirer (sigh)

More examples

Il a soupiré de soulagement en quittant l'hôpital.

He sighed with relief as he left the hospital.

Core concept

A long, audible breath released through the mouth as an emotion surfaces.

Common phrases

  • soupirer de soulagement

    sigh with relief

  • soupirer d'épuisement

    sigh from exhaustion

  • soupirer d'exaspération

    sigh in exasperation

Similar words

souffler: To expel air strongly through the mouth or nose, making a current of air or a sound.
bâiller: To yawn with a wide intake of breath when sleepy or bored.

Definition in French

Laisser échapper par la bouche un souffle long et audible pour manifester une émotion telle que la fatigue, la tristesse ou le soulagement.

Word origin

Soupirer comes from Latin suspirare, formed from sub, meaning 'under', and spirare, meaning 'to breathe', and entered French through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Soupirer commonly takes de before a feeling or cause, as in soupirer de soulagement, while soupirer après means to long for something.

Related words

Word lists with this word