When something is imbuvable, it literally means it's undrinkable. This can be because it tastes really bad, like a terrible coffee, or because it's genuinely unsafe, such as contaminated water.
Figuratively, imbuvable can also describe a person or a situation that is unbearable or insufferable. Think of someone who is extremely unpleasant to be around, or a situation that is so awful you can't stand it.
For example, you might say, "Ce café est imbuvable" (This coffee is undrinkable), or "Son comportement était imbuvable" (His behavior was insufferable).
The nuance is key: while it always implies something is extremely unpleasant, the context tells you if it's about taste/safety or personality/situation.
Dato curioso
The 'im-' prefix in French often indicates negation, similar to 'un-' or 'in-' in English. So, 'imbuvable' literally means 'undrinkable'.
Gramática que debes saber
Agreement with the noun: Like most adjectives in French, 'imbuvable' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, 'une boisson imbuvable' (an undrinkable drink) and 'des cafés imbuvables' (undrinkable coffees).
Cette eau est imbuvable. (This water is undrinkable.) / Ces boissons sont imbuvables. (These drinks are undrinkable.)
Placement: 'Imbuvable' typically follows the noun it modifies. For instance, 'un café imbuvable' (an undrinkable coffee), not 'un imbuvable café'.
C'est un thé imbuvable. (It's an undrinkable tea.)
Usage with 'être': 'Imbuvable' is commonly used with the verb 'être' (to be) to describe the quality of something. For example, 'Le café est imbuvable' (The coffee is undrinkable).
Ce vin est imbuvable. (This wine is undrinkable.)
Figurative use: While literally meaning 'undrinkable,' 'imbuvable' can also be used figuratively to describe something extremely unpleasant or unbearable, often in reference to a person's character or a situation. For example, 'Il est imbuvable' (He is unbearable/a pain to deal with).
Cette réunion était imbuvable. (This meeting was unbearable.)
Negative form: As 'imbuvable' already carries a negative meaning, it's generally not used with additional negative markers like 'ne...pas' unless you want to emphasize a double negative, which is rare and can sound awkward. For example, 'Ce café n'est pas imbuvable' would mean 'This coffee is not undrinkable,' implying it's drinkable.
Ce plat est imbuvable. (This dish is inedible/undrinkable, if it's a liquid dish.)
Origen de la palabra
From Old French 'emboire' (to drink in) + '-able'
Significado original: That which can be drunk (but was later negated)
Indo-European (Italic branch, Romance sub-branch)Contexto cultural
<p>While 'imbuvable' literally means undrinkable, it's also commonly used metaphorically in French to describe something or someone unpleasant, unbearable, or insufferable. For example, you might say 'Ce film est imbuvable!' (This movie is unbearable!) or 'Il est vraiment imbuvable ce matin.' (He's really insufferable this morning.) This dual meaning is important to understand for natural conversation.</p>
Ponte a prueba 6 preguntas
This sentence describes how a drink's extreme bitterness made it undrinkable, emphasizing the adjective 'imbuvable'.
This sentence indicates a specific flaw in wine ('bouchonné' - corked) that makes the entire bottle undrinkable.
This sentence directly attributes the undrinkable quality of the lake water to chemical pollution, highlighting a practical use of 'imbuvable'.
/ 6 correct
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