French word

trouille

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁuj/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfear

Example

J'ai la trouille quand il y a un orage.

I feel afraid when there is a storm.

Illustration for trouille (fear)

More examples

Il a la trouille avant de parler en public.

He is scared before speaking in public.

Core concept

A sudden jolt of fear that makes the heart race and the body tense.

Common phrases

  • avoir la trouille

    be scared

Similar words

peur: A general feeling of fear or unease in everyday situations.
frayeur: A brief, intense fright caused by a sudden shock.

Definition in French

Sentiment de peur vive ou d'effroi, exprimé surtout à l'oral et en registre familier.

Word origin

Trouille is a relatively recent colloquial slang noun, linked in form to trouillard, an adjective describing someone who is frightened or cowardly.

Usage tips

  • Trouille is feminine and commonly appears in the fixed expression avoir la trouille, meaning to feel frightened.

Opposites

Related words

  • trouillardcowardlyadjective
  • trouillardisecowardicenoun

Word lists with this word