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A2 verb 8 min de lectura

dégonfler

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos dégonfler en 30 segundos

Explicación dégonfler in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'dégonfler' as a simple action word. Think of it as the opposite of 'gonfler' (to blow up/inflate). You might use it when talking about a balloon at a birthday party or a ball in the park. It is a regular '-er' verb, which makes it very easy to conjugate. You use it with 'je dégonfle', 'tu dégonfles', etc. At this stage, focus on the physical meaning: air going out of an object. For example, 'Le ballon dégonfle' (The balloon is deflating). It is a useful word to know for basic physical descriptions and activities. Don't worry about the medical or metaphorical meanings yet; just remember it as the 'flat tire' word. Learning it alongside 'gonfler' helps you remember both by association. You can also remember it by looking at the prefix 'dé-', which often means 'undo' in French. So, 'dégonfler' is to 'undo the swelling'.

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At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'dégonfler' to include physical health and basic idiomatic expressions. This is the level where you use it to describe your body. If you hurt yourself while playing sports, you can say 'Ma cheville commence à dégonfler' (My ankle is starting to go down). This is very important for basic communication with a doctor or a pharmacist. You should also be introduced to the reflexive form 'se dégonfler'. While it's informal, it's very common in stories and movies. If a character is scared to do something and decides not to do it, they 'se dégonflent'. You can use this with your friends in a playful way. You should also understand that 'dégonfler' is a regular verb, so its past participle is 'dégonflé'. You will often use it as an adjective: 'un pneu dégonflé' (a flat tire). This level is about moving from simple objects to your own body and basic social interactions.

At the B1 level, you should start using 'dégonfler' in more complex sentence structures and for abstract ideas. You might use the causative 'faire dégonfler' (to make something deflate). For example, 'J'ai mis de la glace pour faire dégonfler l'inflammation.' This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You will also encounter 'dégonfler' in news reports or articles about the economy or politics. For instance, a journalist might talk about 'dégonfler une crise' (defusing a crisis) or 'dégonfler la bulle financière' (deflating the financial bubble). This level requires you to understand that the word can describe anything that has been 'puffed up' or exaggerated. You should also be comfortable using 'se dégonfler' in various tenses, like the conditionnel ('Je ne pensais pas qu'il se dégonflerait') to talk about hypothetical situations or expectations of others' courage.

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At the B2 level, you master the nuances and the 'register' of the word. You understand the difference between 'dégonfler', 'désenfler', and 'se résorber'. You know that 'dégonfler' is more versatile and common, while 'désenfler' is more specific to anatomy. You can use 'dégonfler' to describe a person's ego or pride in a sophisticated way: 'Ses arguments ont fini par dégonfler sa prétention.' You are also aware of the social weight of the reflexive 'se dégonfler'. In a debate or a professional setting, you might use 'dégonfler' to describe debunking an argument or a theory. For example, 'Cette nouvelle preuve a dégonflé toute la théorie de l'accusation.' Your use of the word becomes more precise, and you can switch between its literal and metaphorical meanings effortlessly to add flavor and clarity to your speech and writing.

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At the C1 level, 'dégonfler' becomes a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it in literary or high-level academic contexts to describe the collapse of grand ideas or the reduction of complex phenomena. You might analyze how a writer uses the imagery of 'dégonflage' to symbolize the disillusionment of a character. You understand the etymological roots (from the Latin 'conflare') and how the word has evolved. You can use it in subtle, ironic ways, such as 'dégonfler la baudruche' (to prick the bladder/deflate the windbag), a classic idiom for exposing someone's emptiness or lack of substance. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you choose 'dégonfler' specifically for its connotations of 'returning to a humble reality' versus other words like 'diminuer' or 'réduire'. You can also handle complex grammatical constructions involving the verb in the subjunctive or past anterior with ease.

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At the C2 level, your command of 'dégonfler' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use it with total precision in all contexts, from medical terminology to abstract philosophy. You can play with the word in puns or sophisticated metaphors. You understand its place in French history and literature—how 'se dégonfler' might appear in a 20th-century novel to describe the moral failing of a protagonist. You can discuss the phonetics of the word and its rhythmic quality in poetry. In a professional or legal setting, you might use 'dégonfler' to describe the systematic deconstruction of a complex fraudulent scheme. You are also aware of regional variations or very rare archaic uses. Essentially, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a flexible concept that you can manipulate to suit any rhetorical need, whether you're writing a medical thesis or a satirical essay.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

dégonfler en 30 segundos

Dégonfler means to deflate or reduce swelling.
It is a regular -er verb used for objects and bodies.
Reflexively (se dégonfler), it means to chicken out.
Commonly used in medical, mechanical, and social contexts.

The French verb dégonfler is a versatile term that every intermediate learner should master. At its core, it describes the process of air or fluid leaving a confined space, causing it to shrink or return to its original size. While English speakers might immediately think of a flat tire or a party balloon, in a medical context, it is the primary way to describe the reduction of swelling or inflammation. When you roll your ankle and the puffiness starts to subside after applying ice, you are observing the area dégonfler. This transition from a state of 'gonflé' (swollen/inflated) to a natural state is essential for describing physical recovery, mechanical issues, and even psychological shifts.

Physical Mechanics: Used for tires, balls, balloons, or air mattresses that lose their internal pressure. It can be intentional (opening a valve) or accidental (a puncture).

Après avoir retiré l'épine, le pneu a commencé à dégonfler lentement.

Medical Context: Refers to the reduction of edema, inflammation, or any localized swelling. It is the standard term used by doctors to describe a positive reaction to anti-inflammatory treatment.

Beyond the physical, 'dégonfler' takes on a fascinating metaphorical life. In the reflexive form, se dégonfler, it is a very common informal expression meaning to 'chicken out' or lose one's nerve. Imagine a person 'puffed up' with false courage who suddenly loses it; they 'deflate' like a balloon. Furthermore, it can be used transitively to describe 'taking someone down a peg' or deflating their ego. If someone is acting too proud (il a la grosse tête), a sharp comment might dégonfler son ego. Understanding these layers allows you to transition from basic descriptions to nuanced social commentary.

Il voulait sauter en parachute, mais au dernier moment, il s'est dégonflé.

Social Context: Used to describe someone losing their arrogance or a situation losing its tension. It implies a return to reality or a loss of bravado.

Grâce à la glace, sa cheville commence enfin à dégonfler.

Using dégonfler correctly requires paying attention to whether the action is happening to an object, a body part, or a person's state of mind. As a transitive verb, you 'dégonfle' something else. As an intransitive verb, something 'dégonfle' on its own. And in the reflexive form 'se dégonfler', the subject is the one losing courage. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for building complex sentences in French.

N'oublie pas de dégonfler le matelas pneumatique avant de le ranger dans le sac.

In medical scenarios, you will often use it with body parts as the subject. For example, 'Ma main a dégonflé' (My hand has gone down/the swelling has subsided). Notice that in this context, we often use the auxiliary 'avoir' in compound tenses when describing the state of having deflated, though 'être' can sometimes be found in older or more regional texts to emphasize the resulting state. However, 'avoir' is the standard for modern A2/B1 learners.

The Reflexive Nuance: When you use 'se dégonfler', you are almost always talking about someone losing their nerve. 'Il s'est dégonflé' means 'He chickened out'. This is a very common colloquialism in France.

Elle a pris des médicaments pour faire dégonfler ses gencives après l'opération.

When talking about emotions or abstract concepts, 'dégonfler' acts as a metaphor for reduction. You might 'dégonfler une polémique' (defuse a controversy) or 'dégonfler une rumeur' (debunk a rumor). It implies that the situation was artificially 'blown up' or exaggerated and is now being brought back to its true, smaller size. This usage is common in journalism and political discourse.

Common Subjects: Le pneu (tire), le ballon (balloon/ball), la cheville (ankle), le genou (knee), l'abcès (abscess), l'ego (ego).

You will encounter dégonfler in a variety of real-life settings in France. One of the most common is the local 'pharmacie'. If you go in with a bee sting or a sprained wrist, the pharmacist might ask, 'Est-ce que ça a commencé à dégonfler ?' (Has it started to go down?). It is a practical, everyday word for managing minor injuries and health concerns. You'll also hear it at the 'garage' or 'station-service' when dealing with tire pressure issues.

À la pharmacie : 'Appliquez cette pommade pour faire dégonfler l'oedème.'

In the world of sports and playgrounds, 'dégonfler' is ubiquitous. Children will complain that their 'ballon est dégonflé' (ball is flat), and coaches might use the reflexive 'se dégonfler' to challenge their players' courage, though often in a teasing or motivating way. In French cinema and TV dramas, characters often accuse each other of 'se dégonfler' during moments of high tension, especially before a fight or a difficult confession.

In the News: Journalists use the term to describe economic 'bubbles' bursting (la bulle immobilière commence à dégonfler) or political scandals losing momentum.

Le titre du journal : 'L'inflation commence enfin à dégonfler après des mois de hausse.'

Lastly, in culinary contexts, you might hear it regarding soufflés or pastries. A failed soufflé that collapses when it hits the cold air is said to 'dégonfler'. For a chef, this is a disaster, but for a learner, it's a perfect example of the word's physical meaning. Whether in the kitchen, the doctor's office, or the soccer field, 'dégonfler' is a word that describes the inevitable return to a smaller, flatter state.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing dégonfler with 'descendre' or 'diminuer' when talking about swelling. While 'diminuer' (to decrease) is technically correct, it sounds clinical and unnatural when talking about a puffy eye or a swollen lip. 'Dégonfler' is the specific, expected term. Another common error is using 'dégonfler' when you mean 'to empty' (vider). You 'dégonfle' a balloon, but you 'vide' a glass of water.

Mistake: Confusion with 'Vider': Incorrect: 'Je dois dégonfler la bouteille.' Correct: 'Je dois vider la bouteille.' Use 'dégonfler' only for things filled with air or fluid that are under pressure.

Faux pas : Utiliser dégonfler pour parler d'un prix. Dites plutôt 'baisser'.

Another nuance is the reflexive vs. non-reflexive use. If you say 'Il a dégonflé', you are saying he physically lost weight or his swelling went down. If you say 'Il s'est dégonflé', you are calling him a coward. Mixing these up can lead to very awkward social situations! Imagine telling a friend their swelling went down but accidentally calling them a chicken.

Mistake: Overusing 'Désenfler': While 'désenfler' is a synonym, 'dégonfler' is much more common for mechanical objects. You don't 'désenfle' a tire.

Erreur : 'Mon pneu a désenflé.' Correction : 'Mon pneu a dégonflé.'

To truly master the concept of 'deflating' or 'reducing swelling', it helps to compare dégonfler with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific 'register' (formal, neutral, or informal) and a specific context where it fits best.

Désenfler vs. Dégonfler: 'Désenfler' is almost exclusively used for living tissue (body parts). It is slightly more formal than 'dégonfler'. Use 'désenfler' when talking to a doctor about an injury, but 'dégonfler' for everything else.

S'aplatir: Means 'to flatten'. If a ball dégonfle, it might eventually s'aplatir. This focuses on the final shape rather than the process of losing air.

Comparaison : 'La cheville a dégonflé' (process) vs 'L'oedème a désenflé' (medical result).

If you are looking for alternatives to the informal 'se dégonfler' (to chicken out), you might use 'reculer' (to back up/retreat) in a more neutral sense, or 'avoir la frousse' (to have the jitters) to describe the feeling. In very slangy French, you might hear 'se chier dessus' (extremely vulgar), but 'se dégonfler' remains the most useful middle-ground term for everyday conversation.

Baisser vs. Dégonfler: 'Baisser' is for levels (water, prices, volume). 'Dégonfler' is for volume that was previously expanded by pressure.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The Latin root 'conflare' is also the source of the English word 'conflate', though the meanings have diverged significantly over centuries.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /de.ɡɔ̃.fle/

US /de.ɡɔ̃.fle/

The stress in French is generally on the last syllable: de-gon-FLÉ.

Rima con

gonfler manger parler aller chanter danser jouer aimer

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
Making the 'on' sound too much like 'on' in 'bone' instead of a nasal vowel.
Pronouncing 'dé' as 'dee' instead of 'day'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'gonfler' root.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive and causative structures.

Expresión oral 3/5

Nasal vowels and silent endings can be tricky.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

gonfler air corps peur faire

Aprende después

désenfler résorber inflammation oedème lâche

Avanzado

pneumatique tumescence décompression pusillanime résorption

Gramática que debes saber

Regular -er verb conjugation

Je dégonfle, tu dégonfles, il dégonfle...

Reflexive verbs in passé composé

Il s'est dégonflé (auxiliary être).

Causative 'faire'

Faire dégonfler (to cause to deflate).

Adjectival use of past participle

Un pneu dégonflé.

Subjunctive after verbs of fear

J'ai peur qu'il se dégonfle.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Le ballon rouge dégonfle lentement.

The red balloon is deflating slowly.

Present tense of a regular -er verb.

Je dégonfle mon matelas après le camping.

I deflate my mattress after camping.

First person singular present.

Le pneu du vélo est dégonflé.

The bicycle tire is flat (deflated).

Used as an adjective (past participle).

Est-ce que tu peux dégonfler cette balle ?

Can you deflate this ball?

Infinitive after the modal verb 'pouvoir'.

Nous dégonflons les décorations de la fête.

We are deflating the party decorations.

First person plural present.

Il ne faut pas dégonfler le château gonflable maintenant.

You must not deflate the bouncy castle now.

Negative imperative structure with 'il ne faut pas'.

Le petit ballon a dégonflé pendant la nuit.

The little balloon deflated during the night.

Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.

Regarde, le ballon dégonfle !

Look, the balloon is deflating!

Imperative 'Regarde' followed by the present tense.

Ma main a dégonflé grâce à la glace.

My hand has gone down thanks to the ice.

Using 'dégonfler' for medical swelling.

Ne te dégonfle pas avant le match !

Don't chicken out before the match!

Reflexive imperative, informal 'chicken out'.

Le médecin dit que mon pied va bientôt dégonfler.

The doctor says my foot will soon go down.

Future proche with 'aller' + infinitive.

Il s'est dégonflé au moment de sauter.

He chickened out at the moment of jumping.

Reflexive passé composé.

Il faut dégonfler un peu les pneus pour le sable.

You need to deflate the tires a bit for the sand.

Impersonal 'il faut' + infinitive.

Sa joue a dégonflé après avoir pris l'antibiotique.

His cheek went down after taking the antibiotic.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Pourquoi est-ce que tu te dégonfles toujours ?

Why do you always chicken out?

Reflexive present tense in a question.

Le gâteau a dégonflé quand j'ai ouvert le four.

The cake deflated when I opened the oven.

Describing a culinary mishap.

La pommade a aidé à faire dégonfler l'oedème.

The ointment helped to reduce the swelling.

Causative 'faire dégonfler'.

Il a fallu dégonfler la polémique avant qu'elle ne grandisse.

The controversy had to be defused before it grew.

Metaphorical use for a social situation.

Si tu ne mets pas de glace, ça ne dégonflera pas.

If you don't put ice, it won't go down.

Conditional 'si' clause with future tense.

Elle a peur qu'il se dégonfle à la dernière minute.

She is afraid that he will chicken out at the last minute.

Subjunctive mood after 'avoir peur que'.

Le soufflé a dégonflé car il y avait un courant d'air.

The soufflé deflated because there was a draft.

Using 'car' to explain cause.

Nous avons dégonflé les rumeurs avec des faits précis.

We debunked the rumors with precise facts.

Metaphorical transitive use.

Bien que sa main ait dégonflé, elle a encore mal.

Although her hand has gone down, it still hurts.

Subjunctive past after 'bien que'.

Les prix de l'immobilier commencent enfin à dégonfler.

Real estate prices are finally starting to deflate.

Economic context.

Le gouvernement tente de dégonfler la crise sociale.

The government is trying to defuse the social crisis.

Abstract transitive use.

Son ego a dégonflé après cet échec cuisant.

His ego deflated after that stinging failure.

Metaphorical use for personality.

Il s'est dégonflé, ce qui a déçu toute l'équipe.

He chickened out, which disappointed the whole team.

Reflexive use with a relative clause.

L'abcès a fini par dégonfler sans intervention chirurgicale.

The abscess finally subsided without surgical intervention.

Specific medical terminology.

Il a su dégonfler l'agressivité de son adversaire par l'humour.

He knew how to deflate his opponent's aggressiveness with humor.

Abstract use in social dynamics.

La bulle spéculative ne tardera pas à dégonfler.

The speculative bubble won't be long in deflating.

Formal future construction 'ne tardera pas à'.

Une fois l'émotion dégonflée, on a pu discuter calmement.

Once the emotion had subsided, we were able to discuss calmly.

Participial phrase with 'une fois'.

Il s'agit de dégonfler les pneus pour augmenter l'adhérence.

It's a matter of deflating the tires to increase grip.

Technical context with 'il s'agit de'.

L'auteur s'emploie à dégonfler les mythes nationaux.

The author strives to debunk national myths.

Literary/Academic use.

Il craignait que sa popularité ne dégonfle aussi vite qu'elle était montée.

He feared his popularity would deflate as quickly as it had risen.

Subjunctive with 'ne' explétif after 'craindre'.

Le scandale a fini par dégonfler faute de preuves tangibles.

The scandal eventually fizzled out for lack of tangible evidence.

Abstract use with 'faute de'.

Il s'est dégonflé comme une baudruche face à la réalité.

He deflated like a windbag when faced with reality.

Idiomatic simile using 'baudruche'.

Le chirurgien a drainé le liquide pour faire dégonfler la zone.

The surgeon drained the fluid to reduce the swelling in the area.

Precise medical context.

Sa prétention a dégonflé dès qu'il a été mis à l'épreuve.

His pretension deflated as soon as he was put to the test.

Metaphorical use with 'dès que'.

Il importe de dégonfler l'abcès relationnel avant qu'il ne s'envenime.

It is important to clear the air (deflate the relational abscess) before it worsens.

High-level metaphorical idiom.

L'enthousiasme initial a dégonflé devant l'ampleur de la tâche.

The initial enthusiasm deflated in the face of the scale of the task.

Abstract subject with 'devant'.

L'œuvre déconstruit le récit héroïque pour en dégonfler la superbe.

The work deconstructs the heroic narrative to deflate its grandeur.

Highly literary use of 'superbe' as a noun.

À mesure que les faits apparaissaient, la théorie du complot dégonflait.

As the facts emerged, the conspiracy theory was deflating.

Imperfect tense for a gradual process.

Il n'est point de vanité que le temps ne finisse par dégonfler.

There is no vanity that time does not eventually deflate.

Formal 'ne... point' and subjunctive structure.

La rhétorique pompeuse du discours s'est dégonflée sous le poids du ridicule.

The pompous rhetoric of the speech deflated under the weight of ridicule.

Abstract reflexive use.

Le patient présente une résorption qui fait dégonfler les tissus mous.

The patient shows a resorption that is causing the soft tissues to deflate.

Academic medical phrasing.

Il s'est dégonflé piteusement, révélant sa véritable nature.

He chickened out pitifully, revealing his true nature.

Use of the adverb 'piteusement'.

Le vent a tourné, faisant dégonfler les espoirs de la coalition.

The tide has turned, deflating the hopes of the coalition.

Idiomatic expression 'le vent a tourné'.

Dégonfler une telle baudruche médiatique exigeait de la patience.

Deflating such a media 'windbag' required patience.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

Colocaciones comunes

Dégonfler un pneu

Faire dégonfler la cheville

Dégonfler l'ego

Se dégonfler complètement

Dégonfler une bulle

Dégonfler un ballon

Dégonfler une rumeur

Dégonfler un abcès

Dégonfler un matelas

Dégonfler la tension

Frases Comunes

Ça va dégonfler.

— It will go down (referring to swelling).

Ne t'inquiète pas pour ta bosse, ça va dégonfler.

Il s'est dégonflé.

— He chickened out.

Il devait chanter, mais il s'est dégonflé.

Faire dégonfler l'inflammation.

— To reduce the inflammation.

Prenez ce médicament pour faire dégonfler l'inflammation.

Le pneu est dégonflé.

— The tire is flat.

Je ne peux pas rouler, le pneu est dégonflé.

Dégonfler la baudruche.

— To expose someone as a fraud or empty-headed.

Le journaliste a dégonflé la baudruche pendant l'interview.

Dégonfler un soufflé.

— To cause a soufflé to collapse (literal or metaphorical).

Le bruit a fait dégonfler mon soufflé.

Un dégonflé.

— A coward (noun).

C'est un vrai dégonflé, il n'ose jamais rien dire.

Dégonfler les chevilles.

— To stop being so arrogant (literally 'deflate the ankles').

Il devrait se dégonfler les chevilles, il n'est pas si fort.

Se dégonfler comme une vieille chaussette.

— To chicken out in a pathetic way.

Il s'est dégonflé comme une vieille chaussette devant le patron.

Aider à dégonfler.

— To help reduce swelling.

Cette pommade aide vraiment à dégonfler.

Se confunde a menudo con

dégonfler vs Vider

Vider means to empty completely, while dégonfler specifically refers to air or pressure.

dégonfler vs Descendre

English speakers say 'the swelling is going down', but in French, you don't say 'l'oedème descend'.

dégonfler vs Désenfler

Very similar, but désenfler is only for bodies, while dégonfler is for bodies and objects.

Modismos y expresiones

"Dégonfler la baudruche"

— To show that something or someone is much less important or impressive than they seem.

Ses arguments ont dégonflé la baudruche de son projet.

Literary/Formal

"Se dégonfler"

— To lose one's courage or resolve at the last minute.

Je voulais lui demander une augmentation, mais je me suis dégonflé.

Informal

"Avoir les chevilles qui enflent / Faire dégonfler les chevilles"

— To be arrogant / To take someone down a peg.

On va lui dégonfler les chevilles à ce prétentieux !

Informal

"Dégonfler l'abcès"

— To resolve a long-standing tension or conflict by finally talking about it.

Il est temps de dégonfler l'abcès entre nous deux.

Neutral

"Se dégonfler comme un ballon de baudruche"

— To lose all momentum or confidence very quickly.

Son enthousiasme s'est dégonflé comme un ballon de baudruche.

Neutral

"Ne pas se dégonfler"

— To stay brave or persistent.

Malgré les critiques, elle ne s'est pas dégonflée.

Informal

"Dégonfler la tête à quelqu'un"

— To humble someone who is too proud.

L'examen va lui dégonfler la tête.

Informal

"Un dégonflé"

— A coward.

Ne sois pas un dégonflé, viens avec nous !

Slang

"Dégonfler un pneu à quelqu'un"

— To annoy or sabotage someone (rare/literal).

Pour se venger, il a dégonflé un pneu de son voisin.

Neutral

"Dégonfler comme une mer qui se retire"

— To subside quickly (poetic).

Sa colère a dégonflé comme une mer qui se retire.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

dégonfler vs Gonfler

It's the opposite.

Gonfler is to inflate/swell; dégonfler is to deflate/reduce swelling.

Je gonfle le ballon, puis je le dégonfle.

dégonfler vs Désenfler

Synonym for medical use.

Désenfler is more formal and limited to anatomy; dégonfler is broader.

Sa main désenfle (Formal) / Sa main dégonfle (Neutral).

dégonfler vs S'affaisser

Describes a similar physical collapse.

S'affaisser is to sag or sink under weight; dégonfler is to lose internal air/fluid.

Le pont s'affaisse; le pneu dégonfle.

dégonfler vs Vider

Both involve removing content.

Vider is for liquids/solids in a container; dégonfler is for gas/pressure.

Vide ton verre; dégonfle ton ballon.

dégonfler vs Diminuer

General term for reduction.

Diminuer is general; dégonfler is specific to volume/swelling.

La pluie diminue; l'abcès dégonfle.

Patrones de oraciones

Le [objet] dégonfle.

Le ballon dégonfle.

Ma/Mon [partie du corps] a dégonflé.

Ma main a dégonflé.

Il s'est dégonflé.

Faire dégonfler [quelque chose].

Il faut faire dégonfler l'abcès.

Dégonfler les [rumeurs/tensions].

Il a dégonflé les rumeurs.

Aider à faire dégonfler.

La glace aide à faire dégonfler.

Dégonfler la baudruche de [concept].

Dégonfler la baudruche de sa gloire.

Point de [nom] que le temps ne dégonfle.

Point de vanité que le temps ne dégonfle.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

dégonflage (the act of deflating)

gonflage (the act of inflating)

dégonflé (a coward)

Verbos

gonfler (to inflate)

regonfler (to re-inflate)

désenfler (to reduce swelling)

Adjetivos

dégonflé (deflated/flat)

gonflé (inflated/swollen/daring)

gonflable (inflatable)

Relacionado

pneu

ballon

oedème

inflammation

courage

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High in everyday conversation, especially for injuries and bike/car maintenance.

Errores comunes

Using 'descendre' for swelling. → Ma cheville dégonfle.
In English, we say swelling 'goes down', but in French, we use 'dégonfler'.
Pronouncing the 'r' at the end. → /de.ɡɔ̃.fle/
The 'er' ending in French verbs is pronounced like 'é'.
Confusing 'dégonfler' with 'vider'. → Je vide la bouteille.
Use 'vider' for liquids and 'dégonfler' for air/pressure.
Using 'avoir' for 'se dégonfler'. → Il s'est dégonflé.
Reflexive verbs always take 'être' in compound tenses.
Using 'dégonfler' for a price. → Le prix a baissé.
Use 'baisser' or 'diminuer' for numerical values like prices.

Consejos

Reflexive Auxiliary

Always use 'être' with 'se dégonfler' in the past tense. Example: 'Je me suis dégonflé'.

Balloon vs. Tire

Dégonfler works for both. It's the most versatile word for anything pneumatic.

Swelling Advice

Use 'faire dégonfler' when explaining how you are treating an injury.

Don't be a chicken

Learn 'un dégonflé' to understand when people are being teased about their lack of courage.

Nasal 'ON'

Practice the 'on' sound. It's the same as in 'bon' or 'maison'.

Metaphors

Use it to describe economic bubbles or political scandals for more advanced writing.

Bike Maintenance

If your bike ride feels heavy, check if your pneu is 'dégonflé'.

Dégonfler l'abcès

This is a great phrase for resolving conflicts. It literally means 'deflate the abscess'.

Formal Synonyms

In a medical report, use 'résorption' or 'diminution de l'oedème' instead of 'dégonfler'.

Opposites

Always learn 'gonfler' and 'dégonfler' together to double your vocabulary efficiency.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'DE-GON-FLER'. 'DE' means 'undo'. 'GON' sounds like 'gone'. The air is 'gone' to 'undo' the swelling.

Asociación visual

Imagine a balloon with the air hissing out, getting smaller and smaller until it is flat on the floor.

Word Web

Pneu Ballon Cheville Ego Courage Air Glace Peur

Desafío

Try to use 'dégonfler' in three different ways today: once for an object, once for a body part, and once reflexively for a person.

Origen de la palabra

From the French prefix 'dé-' (expressing undoing or removal) combined with the verb 'gonfler'. 'Gonfler' comes from the Old French 'gonfler', which stems from the Vulgar Latin 'conflare'.

Significado original: To blow together or to blow up with air.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexto cultural

Calling someone 'un dégonflé' can be quite offensive as it questions their courage.

In English, we use 'deflate' for objects but 'go down' or 'reduce' for swelling. French uses one word for both.

The phrase 'se dégonfler' appears in countless French films like 'Les Bronzés'. Economic news often refers to 'dégonfler la bulle'. Medical brochures for anti-inflammatories.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At the Pharmacy

C'est pour faire dégonfler.
Ça n'a pas encore dégonflé.
Combien de temps pour dégonfler ?
Ça aide à dégonfler ?

With Friends

Ne te dégonfle pas !
Il s'est dégonflé.
T'es un dégonflé !
On ne va pas se dégonfler.

Mechanical/Bike

Le pneu est dégonflé.
Il faut dégonfler un peu.
Ça dégonfle tout seul.
Où peut-on dégonfler ?

Kitchen

Le soufflé a dégonflé.
Ne fais pas dégonfler le gâteau !
Pourquoi ça a dégonflé ?
Ça va dégonfler vite.

Medical

L'oedème dégonfle.
Faire dégonfler la zone.
Après l'opération, ça dégonfle.
La plaie commence à dégonfler.

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que ta cheville a commencé à dégonfler après ta chute ?"

"Tu penses qu'il va se dégonfler avant de monter sur scène ?"

"Comment peut-on faire dégonfler ce matelas plus rapidement ?"

"As-tu déjà vu un soufflé dégonfler juste avant de le servir ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves que l'ego de ce politicien a dégonflé ?"

Temas para diario

Décris une fois où tu t'es dégonflé(e) avant de faire quelque chose de courageux.

Imagine que tu as un pneu dégonflé au milieu de nulle part. Que fais-tu ?

Pourquoi est-il important de faire dégonfler les tensions dans une amitié ?

Raconte une blessure sportive et comment tu as fait pour la faire dégonfler.

Penses-tu que la bulle des réseaux sociaux va finir par dégonfler un jour ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but it's informal. You can say 'J'ai dégonflé' if you feel less bloated or have lost water weight, but 'maigrir' or 'perdre du poids' is more common for general fat loss.

It is informal and can be offensive if used to mock someone's courage. Among friends, it's common teasing, but avoid it in professional settings.

Dégonfler is used for both objects (balloons, tires) and body parts. Désenfler is only used for body parts and is slightly more formal.

It uses 'avoir' for the literal sense: 'Le pneu a dégonflé'. It uses 'être' for the reflexive sense: 'Il s'est dégonflé'.

Yes, this is a very common use in cooking to describe a soufflé that collapses when it gets cold.

Yes, 'le dégonflage' is the act of deflating, and 'un dégonflé' is a person who is a coward.

You can say 'avoir un pneu dégonflé' or more commonly 'avoir un pneu crevé' (punctured).

Yes, you can 'dégonfler' anger, tension, or excitement, meaning to make those feelings subside.

It's the causative form meaning 'to make something deflate'. It's very common for medical advice: 'Prenez de la glace pour faire dégonfler'.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all -er verbs in French.

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