French word

trembler

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁɑ̃ble/

Meaning

  • verbtremble

Example

Elle tremble de froid.

She trembles with cold.

Illustration for trembler (tremble)

More examples

Il tremble comme une feuille avant son entretien.

He trembles like a leaf before his interview.

Core concept

A body or voice caught in repeated, involuntary shaking from cold, fear, or strong emotion.

Common phrases

  • trembler comme une feuille

    tremble like a leaf

Similar words

frissonner: To shiver or feel a chill from cold or strong emotion.
grelotter: To shiver violently from the cold.
sursauter: To jerk or jump suddenly at a loud noise or surprise.
tressaillir: To flinch or twitch briefly from mild surprise or emotion.

Definition in French

Subir des mouvements involontaires et répétés du corps ou d'une partie du corps, généralement causés par le froid, la peur ou une émotion vive, et parfois employé au figuré pour marquer la peur.

Word origin

Trembler descends from Latin tremere through Old French and is related to English tremble and Spanish temblar.

Usage tips

  • The cause commonly follows de, as in trembler de froid or trembler de peur.

Other meanings

  • shudderverb
  • quakeverb

Opposites

  • se raidirstiffenverb

Related words

  • tremblanttremblingadjective
  • trembloterquiververb

Word lists with this word