French Conversation · Level 89
60 words
French word
torture
Pronunciation
IPA/tɔʁtyʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounagony
Example
Attendre dans la file, c'est une torture.
Waiting in line is agony.
More examples
Porter ces chaussures toute la journée, c'est une torture.
It is torture to wear these shoes all day.
Core concept
An unbearable strain that seems to twist the body or mind, whether caused by violence or by a painfully difficult experience.
Common phrases
une vraie torture
sheer torture
la torture psychologique
psychological torture
infliger la torture
inflict torture
Similar words
douleur: Physical or emotional pain or discomfort.
souffrance: Deep, unbearable suffering of the mind or body.
supplice: Agonizing pain or cruel treatment causing extreme distress.
calvaire: A prolonged ordeal or deeply distressing experience.
Definition in French
Souffrance extrême, physique ou morale, subie ou infligée, et employée aussi au sens figuré pour désigner une épreuve très pénible.
Word origin
The French noun continues Latin tortura, formed from torquere, "to twist"; its original physical sense developed into broader physical, moral, and figurative suffering.
Usage tips
- The figurative use can sound deliberately strong: describing a queue as une torture expresses intense impatience rather than literal abuse.