French Conversation · Level 99
60 words
French word
trébucher
Pronunciation
IPA/tʁebyʃe/
Meaning
- verbstumble
Example
Elle a trébuché en descendant les escaliers.
She stumbled as she was going down the stairs.
More examples
Elle a trébuché contre un obstacle et a ralenti sa marche.
She stumbled against an obstacle and slowed her pace.
Core concept
A walking foot catches on a low obstacle and the body jolts off balance before recovering.
Common phrases
trébucher contre un obstacle
stumble against an obstacle
trébucher dans la rue
stumble in the street
trébucher sur une racine
trip over a root
Similar words
tomber: To fall suddenly or forcefully onto the ground or floor.
glisser: To slip on a wet or slippery surface, causing the body to slide.
Definition in French
Perdre momentanément l'équilibre en accrochant le pied contre un obstacle en marchant, sans nécessairement tomber.
Word origin
The verb comes from Old French trebuchier or trebucher, whose earlier senses included knocking or throwing down before the walking sense developed.
Usage tips
- The usual construction is trébucher sur plus a noun for the obstacle, with sur marking what catches the foot.