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A2 noun #6,000 más común 10 min de lectura

pleur

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos pleur en 30 segundos

Explicación pleur in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn the verb 'pleurer' (to cry). However, it is useful to recognize the noun 'pleurs' when talking about babies. You might hear 'Le bébé pleure' (The baby is crying) and understand that 'les pleurs du bébé' means 'the baby's crying'. At this stage, focus on the fact that 'pleurs' is a noun and it usually takes an 's' at the end. You don't need to use the singular 'pleur' yet. Just remember: 'pleurer' is the action, and 'les pleurs' is the sound or the thing you hear. If you see a child crying in a park, you can say 'J'entends des pleurs' (I hear some crying). This simple noun-verb distinction will help you build a solid foundation. Try to practice saying 'Il est en pleurs' to describe someone who is very sad, as this is a very common and simple expression for beginners to describe emotions without needing complex grammar.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'les pleurs' to describe emotional scenes or situations involving children. You will learn that 'en pleurs' is a fixed expression meaning 'in tears'. For example, 'Elle est arrivée en pleurs' (She arrived in tears). You should also distinguish between 'pleurs' (the act/sound) and 'larmes' (the physical tears). At A2, you can use 'les pleurs' as the subject of a sentence: 'Ses pleurs m'ont rendu triste' (His/her crying made me sad). You are moving beyond simple verbs to using nouns to describe the world around you. You should also be aware that 'pleurs' is almost always plural in daily life. If you are talking about a movie that was very sad, you might say 'Tout le monde était en pleurs à la fin' (Everyone was in tears at the end). This level is about expanding your descriptive vocabulary and using 'pleurs' to add more detail to your stories about people and their feelings.

At the B1 level, you can use 'pleurs' in more complex idiomatic expressions and narrative contexts. You should be comfortable with 'éclater en pleurs' (to burst into tears) and 'fondre en pleurs' (to melt into tears). You can also use adjectives to modify the noun, such as 'des pleurs étouffés' (stifled crying) or 'des pleurs de joie' (cries of joy). At this stage, you understand that 'pleurs' carries a certain weight and is more descriptive than just saying someone is crying. You might use it in a letter or a short story: 'Malgré ses efforts pour rester calme, ses pleurs ont fini par trahir son émotion' (Despite her efforts to stay calm, her crying ended up betraying her emotion). You are also starting to recognize 'pleurs' in media, like song lyrics or news reports. You should also be able to distinguish 'pleurs' from 'sanglots' (sobs), knowing that 'sanglots' is more intense and physical. B1 learners should focus on the 'register'—using 'pleurs' for genuine emotion and avoiding 'pleurnicheries' unless they mean to be critical of someone's whining.

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At the B2 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'pleurs' and can use it to discuss psychological or social themes. You might use the word in an essay about childhood development ('l'importance des pleurs chez le nourrisson') or in a discussion about a literary work. You understand that the plural 'les pleurs' is the standard, but you are now aware of the singular 'le pleur' as a literary device used to create a specific atmosphere. You can use 'pleurs' in more abstract ways, such as 'le mur des pleurs' or in metaphorical descriptions of nature. Your vocabulary includes related words like 'larmoyant' (tearful/sentimental) and 'gémissements' (groans). You can describe a scene with precision: 'La salle était plongée dans un silence seulement rompu par les pleurs discrets de quelques spectateurs' (The room was plunged into a silence only broken by the discreet crying of a few spectators). At B2, you are expected to use 'pleurs' correctly in terms of agreement and prepositional use (en pleurs vs. avec des pleurs).

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic value of 'pleur' and 'pleurs'. You can analyze how authors use the singular 'le pleur' to personify inanimate objects or to elevate the register of a poem. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it differs from 'lamentations' or 'affliction'. You can use 'pleurs' in professional or academic contexts, perhaps in a sociological analysis of public mourning or a psychological study of emotional expression. You are comfortable with rare collocations and can use the word to express subtle shades of grief, such as 'des pleurs contenus' (restrained crying) or 'un pleur lancinant' (a throbbing/persistent cry). Your use of the word is natural and varies according to the context—you know when to be visceral with 'sanglots' and when to be descriptive with 'pleurs'. You also understand the cultural implications of 'pleurs' in French society and how it is portrayed in high art versus popular media.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'pleur' and 'pleurs'. You can use the singular 'le pleur' with poetic confidence, perhaps in your own creative writing or in a deep literary critique. You understand the phonological beauty of the word—how the 'eu' sound creates a hollow, mournful tone. You can discuss the evolution of the word from Latin 'plorare' and how it has maintained its core meaning while shifting in grammatical preference from singular to plural over centuries. You are aware of the most obscure idioms and can use 'pleurs' to describe not just human emotion, but the 'weeping' of trees (pleureur) or the 'crying' of the wind. You can navigate the finest distinctions between 'pleurs', 'larmes', 'sanglots', 'cris', and 'plainte' with absolute precision. For a C2 speaker, 'pleurs' is not just a word for crying; it is a versatile tool for emotional and atmospheric painting in the French language.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

pleur en 30 segundos

A noun for the sound/act of crying, usually plural (les pleurs).
Different from 'larmes' (tears) which are the physical liquid drops.
Commonly used with 'en' (en pleurs) to mean 'in tears'.
Essential for describing emotional scenes or baby behavior in French.

The French word pleur is a masculine noun that refers specifically to the act or the sound of crying. While in modern, everyday French, you will almost exclusively encounter it in the plural form les pleurs, the singular form le pleur persists in literary, poetic, and sometimes medical contexts to describe a single instance or the specific acoustic quality of a cry. Understanding the difference between 'un pleur' (the act/sound) and 'une larme' (the physical tear drop) is essential for achieving a natural grasp of the language. When a baby is crying in the next room, you hear 'les pleurs'; when you see moisture on someone's cheek, you see 'les larmes'.

Acoustic Focus: The word focuses on the auditory and behavioral aspect of sadness or pain. It encompasses the sobbing, the gasping, and the vocalization of grief.
Grammatical Habit: In 95% of conversational situations, you should use the plural 'les pleurs'. Using the singular 'le pleur' in a grocery store would sound like you are reciting 17th-century tragedy.

Soudain, les pleurs de l'enfant ont cessé dès qu'il a vu sa mère.

Contextually, 'pleurs' is used to describe various emotional states. It isn't always about sadness; it can describe the 'pleurs de joie' (cries of joy), though this is less common than 'larmes de joie'. It is most frequently used in the context of infants (la petite enfance) and intense emotional outbursts (les crises de larmes). In literature, authors use the singular 'le pleur' to personify nature, such as 'le pleur de la pluie' (the weeping of the rain), creating a melancholic atmosphere that 'les pleurs' (plural) might make too literal or human-centric.

Elle essayait d'étouffer ses pleurs avec son oreiller pour ne pas réveiller ses colocataires.

Emotional Range: From the soft whimpering of a puppy to the racking sobs of a heartbroken adult, 'pleurs' covers the entire spectrum of vocalized distress.

Furthermore, the word carries a weight of sincerity. Unlike 'pleurnicherie' (whining), 'pleurs' usually implies a genuine, deep-seated emotion. In formal reports, such as those by social workers or psychologists, 'les pleurs' is the technical term used to document emotional distress. It is a word that bridges the gap between the raw biological response and the complex human emotion of sorrow. When you use this word, you are acknowledging the audible manifestation of someone's internal struggle.

Le silence de la nuit fut brisé par un long pleur solitaire venant de la forêt.

Using pleur correctly requires a focus on its pluralization and its relationship with verbs of perception. Because 'pleurs' represents a continuous or repetitive sound, it is often the object of verbs like 'entendre' (to hear), 'écouter' (to listen to), or 'étouffer' (to muffle/stifle). For example, if you are describing a scene in a hospital or a nursery, you would focus on how the 'pleurs' fill the space. It is a noun of action, meaning it describes the state of being in tears.

Common Verb Pairings: 'Éclater en pleurs' (to burst into tears) and 'Fondre en pleurs' (to melt into tears) are the two most common idiomatic structures. They suggest a sudden loss of emotional control.

Dès qu'elle a appris la nouvelle, elle a éclaté en pleurs devant tout le monde.

Another important aspect is the possessive. Since crying is a personal expression, we almost always use possessive adjectives: mes pleurs, tes pleurs, ses pleurs. You wouldn't typically say 'the cries' in a general sense if you know who is crying; you would say 'their cries'. This adds a layer of intimacy and specific empathy to the sentence. In descriptive writing, 'les pleurs' can be modified by adjectives to provide more detail: 'pleurs déchirants' (heartbreaking cries), 'pleurs étouffés' (stifled cries), or 'pleurs convulsifs' (convulsive sobbing).

L'infirmière a calmé les pleurs du nouveau-né avec une douceur infinie.

Syntactic Function: It often functions as the direct object of verbs of cessation, like 'arrêter' or 'calmer', showing that the crying is a phenomenon that can be managed or influenced.

In more complex sentences, 'pleurs' can be used to indicate a duration of time or a background atmosphere. 'Passer la nuit en pleurs' (to spend the night in tears) is a common way to express a long period of grief. It is also used metaphorically in expressions like 'le mur des pleurs' (the Wailing Wall), though in French, the official term is 'Le Mur des Lamentations'. However, 'pleurs' remains the more visceral, human word for the physical act. When writing, remember that 'pleurs' suggests a certain volume; if the crying is silent, 'larmes' is usually the better choice.

Après leur dispute, il a passé des heures en pleurs dans sa chambre.

You will hear pleurs in a variety of real-world French settings, ranging from the domestic to the artistic. The most common place is likely in a family environment. Parents constantly talk about 'les pleurs du bébé'. Pediatricians will ask, 'Est-ce que ses pleurs sont fréquents ?' (Are his/her cries frequent?). In this context, the word is practical and descriptive of a biological need or signal. It is not just about sadness here; it is about communication.

In Cinema and Literature: French cinema, known for its emotional depth, frequently uses the word in scripts. You might hear a character say, 'Je ne supporte plus tes pleurs !' (I can't stand your crying anymore!) during a dramatic climax.

Dans le film, la scène se termine sur les pleurs lointains d'une femme trahie.

Music is another major venue for this word. Many 'chansons françaises' (French songs) deal with heartbreak. Lyrics often mention 'mélanger ses pleurs à la pluie' (mixing one's tears with the rain) or 'sécher ses pleurs' (drying one's tears). In music, the word takes on a rhythmic quality, and the plural 's' at the end of 'pleurs' (though silent in speech) allows for poetic pluralization that sounds more expansive and overwhelming than the singular 'tear'.

La chanson évoque les pleurs d'un homme qui a tout perdu au jeu.

News and Media: In news reporting, especially during coverage of tragedies or funerals, journalists might use the phrase 'une foule en pleurs' (a crowd in tears) to describe the collective grief of a nation or community.

Finally, you will encounter the word in psychological and self-help literature. French culture has a deep interest in psychoanalysis, and 'la fonction des pleurs' (the function of crying) is a common topic of discussion in magazines like 'Psychologies Magazine'. Here, the word is treated as a healthy release of tension. Whether it is the raw cry of a child or the sophisticated grief of a tragic hero, 'pleurs' is the word that captures the audible soul of French emotional expression.

Les pleurs collectifs lors de la cérémonie ont montré l'unité du village.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with pleur is confusing the noun with the verb pleurer. In English, 'cry' can be both a noun ('a cry') and a verb ('to cry'). In French, these are distinct. You cannot say 'J'ai fait un pleur' to mean 'I had a cry'; you must say 'J'ai pleuré'. The noun 'pleurs' is a result or a manifestation, not the action itself. Another common error is using the singular 'pleur' in situations where the plural 'pleurs' is required.

Pleur vs. Larme: Do not confuse 'pleurs' with 'larmes'. If you want to say 'wiping away tears', use 'essuyer ses larmes'. If you say 'essuyer ses pleurs', it sounds slightly odd because you are trying to wipe away a sound or an act rather than the physical liquid.

Incorrect: Elle a beaucoup de pleurs sur ses joues.
Correct: Elle a beaucoup de larmes sur ses joues.

Another nuance involves the preposition 'en'. Learners often forget that 'en pleurs' is a set phrase meaning 'in tears'. They might try to translate 'in tears' literally as 'dans les pleurs', which is incorrect. You must use 'en pleurs'. Furthermore, avoid using 'pleur' to mean a 'shout' or a 'call'. If someone is calling for help, that is a 'cri', not a 'pleur'. 'Pleur' specifically implies the presence of sobbing or sorrowful vocalization.

Incorrect: Il est dans les pleurs.
Correct: Il est en pleurs.

Register Confusion: Using 'pleurnicheries' when you mean 'pleurs' can be offensive. 'Pleurnicheries' implies the person is being dramatic or annoying (whining), whereas 'pleurs' respects the person's grief.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'pleur' in medical contexts. While 'le pleur du nourrisson' is a valid term, in a casual conversation with a doctor, it is better to use the verb: 'Mon bébé pleure beaucoup' rather than 'Le pleur de mon bébé est fort'. Keep the noun for descriptive or poetic effects, and the verb for reporting actions. By avoiding these pitfalls, you will sound much more like a native speaker who understands the subtle emotional architecture of the French language.

Elle a séché ses larmes mais ses pleurs continuaient de secouer ses épaules.

To enrich your French, it is helpful to know words that are similar to pleur but carry different shades of meaning. The most obvious alternative is sanglot (sob). While 'pleurs' is a general term for crying, 'sanglots' refers to the convulsive, gasping breaths that happen during intense crying. If someone is 'cloué par les sanglots', they are so overcome they can barely breathe. Another important word is gémissement (moan/whimper), which suggests a lower volume and perhaps physical pain rather than just emotional sorrow.

Pleurs vs. Sanglots: 'Pleurs' is the general sound; 'sanglots' is the physical spasm. You can have 'pleurs' without 'sanglots', but 'sanglots' almost always involve 'pleurs'.
Pleurs vs. Lamentations: 'Lamentations' involve words or vocal complaints, whereas 'pleurs' can be wordless. 'Lamentations' is much more formal and often biblical or historical.

Ses sanglots étaient si forts qu'on les entendait du couloir.

For a more informal or negative connotation, you can use pleurnicherie. This is often used by parents to describe a child who is 'whining' or 'sniveling' without a major cause. It is a dismissive term. On the opposite end of the spectrum, lamentation is a very formal, almost theatrical word for deep, vocalized mourning. If you are reading a classic play by Racine or Molière, you will see 'lamentations' used to describe the grief of queens and kings. In modern slang, you might hear 'chialer' (to blubber/cry), but be careful as this is quite vulgar and should only be used with close friends.

Arrête tes pleurnicheries et finis tes devoirs !

Larmes (Tears): The physical liquid. Use 'larmes' for visual descriptions: 'des larmes aux yeux' (tears in the eyes).

When choosing between these words, consider the intensity and the listener's perspective. 'Pleurs' remains the most neutral and descriptive noun for the general phenomenon. If you want to emphasize the physical struggle, go with 'sanglots'. If you want to describe a quiet, sad state, use 'larmes'. If you want to be poetic, 'le pleur' (singular) is your best tool. Mastery of these synonyms allows you to describe human emotion with the precision that the French language is famous for.

Le poète compare le pleur de la source au chant d'un oiseau blessé.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'implore' in English comes from the same Latin root 'plorare' (in-plorare), meaning to cry out to someone for help.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /plœʁ/

US /plʊr/

Single syllable, no specific stress.

Rima con

fleur beurre heure peur cœur sœur malheur bonheur

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 's' in 'pleurs'.
Using the English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Pronouncing the 'eu' like 'oo' in 'food' instead of the open 'œ'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'fleur' (flower), though they rhyme.
Making it two syllables (pleu-er) like the verb.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the verb 'pleurer'.

Escritura 4/5

Difficult to remember to use the noun 'pleurs' instead of the verb in certain structures.

Expresión oral 3/5

Pronunciation is easy, but the 'en pleurs' vs 'pleurer' choice takes practice.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

triste bébé entendre œil eau

Aprende después

sanglot larme douleur émotion réconforter

Avanzado

lamentation affliction larmoyant affligé prostré

Gramática que debes saber

Pluralization of Nouns

Le pleur (rare) becomes les pleurs (common).

Preposition 'En' for states

Il est en pleurs (He is in tears).

Possessive Adjectives

Ses pleurs (his/her cries) must agree with the plural noun.

Silent final consonants

The 's' in 'pleurs' is not pronounced.

Noun vs Verb usage

Use 'pleurer' for the action and 'pleurs' for the result/sound.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Le bébé a des pleurs très forts.

The baby has very loud cries.

Note that 'pleurs' is plural here to describe the continuous sound.

J'entends des pleurs dans la chambre.

I hear crying in the bedroom.

Using 'des' before 'pleurs' indicates an unspecified amount of crying sound.

Pourquoi ces pleurs, mon petit ?

Why this crying, my little one?

A common way to ask a child why they are crying.

Elle est en pleurs aujourd'hui.

She is in tears today.

The phrase 'en pleurs' is a fixed expression.

Les pleurs s'arrêtent quand il dort.

The crying stops when he sleeps.

The noun 'pleurs' is the subject of the verb 's'arrêtent'.

C'est un film avec beaucoup de pleurs.

It's a movie with a lot of crying.

Using 'de' after 'beaucoup' with the plural noun.

Maman calme les pleurs de Julie.

Mom calms Julie's crying.

The verb 'calmer' is often used with 'pleurs'.

Il n'aime pas les pleurs des enfants.

He doesn't like children's crying.

The definite article 'les' is used for a general dislike.

Elle est arrivée à la maison tout en pleurs.

She arrived home all in tears.

'Tout en pleurs' emphasizes the intensity of the state.

On entendait ses pleurs à travers le mur.

We could hear her crying through the wall.

Using the imperfect 'entendait' for a continuous past action.

Il a essayé de cacher ses pleurs.

He tried to hide his crying.

Possessive adjective 'ses' agrees with the plural noun 'pleurs'.

Ses pleurs ont duré toute la nuit.

Her crying lasted all night.

The verb 'durer' (to last) fits well with 'pleurs'.

Après la dispute, elle a éclaté en pleurs.

After the argument, she burst into tears.

'Éclater en' is the standard idiom for a sudden outburst.

Les pleurs de joie sont fréquents aux mariages.

Cries of joy are frequent at weddings.

Adding 'de joie' changes the emotional context.

Le chien a poussé un petit pleur.

The dog let out a little whimper/cry.

Here, the singular 'pleur' describes a single specific sound.

Ne laisse pas tes pleurs t'empêcher de parler.

Don't let your crying stop you from speaking.

Using the imperative 'ne laisse pas'.

Elle a fini par s'endormir, épuisée par ses pleurs.

She finally fell asleep, exhausted by her crying.

The past participle 'épuisée' agrees with the feminine subject.

Le silence qui a suivi ses pleurs était pesant.

The silence that followed her crying was heavy.

Using a relative clause 'qui a suivi ses pleurs'.

Il a étouffé ses pleurs dans son oreiller.

He muffled his cries in his pillow.

'Étouffer' is a common verb for suppressing 'pleurs'.

Ses pleurs semblaient ne jamais vouloir finir.

Her crying seemed to never want to end.

A more literary way to describe duration.

Elle a essuyé ses pleurs avant d'entrer.

She wiped away her tears (crying) before entering.

While 'larmes' is more common for wiping, 'pleurs' is used here to mean the traces of crying.

L'enfant a calmé ses pleurs dès qu'il a eu son jouet.

The child stopped crying as soon as he got his toy.

Using 'calmer' as a transitive verb.

On pouvait deviner ses pleurs à sa voix tremblante.

One could guess she was crying from her trembling voice.

'Deviner' (to guess/sense) shows the auditory nature of 'pleurs'.

Les pleurs de la foule étaient déchirants.

The crowd's crying was heartbreaking.

The adjective 'déchirant' is a strong collocation for 'pleurs'.

Elle a fondu en pleurs en revoyant son ancienne maison.

She melted into tears upon seeing her old house again.

'Fondre en pleurs' suggests a gradual but total loss of control.

Ses pleurs convulsifs inquiétaient ses proches.

Her convulsive sobbing worried her relatives.

'Convulsif' implies physical shaking, close to 'sanglots'.

L'acteur a dû simuler des pleurs pour la scène finale.

The actor had to fake crying for the final scene.

'Simuler des pleurs' is the technical term for acting.

Il y avait un mélange de rires et de pleurs dans la salle.

There was a mix of laughter and crying in the room.

Contrast between 'rires' and 'pleurs' nouns.

Ses pleurs étaient un appel à l'aide désespéré.

Her crying was a desperate cry for help.

Metaphorical use of 'pleurs' as a form of communication.

Elle a passé la soirée en pleurs, incapable de se calmer.

She spent the evening in tears, unable to calm down.

Using 'passer [time] en pleurs'.

Le poème évoque les pleurs de l'automne.

The poem evokes the weeping of autumn.

A literary use where 'pleurs' represents rain/sadness of nature.

Malgré ses pleurs, elle a réussi à terminer son discours.

Despite her crying, she managed to finish her speech.

Using 'malgré' to show contrast.

Le texte est parsemé de pleurs et de regrets.

The text is peppered with crying and regrets.

Abstract usage of 'pleurs' in literary analysis.

Son pleur solitaire résonnait dans la cathédrale déserte.

His solitary cry echoed in the deserted cathedral.

Use of singular 'pleur' for heightened poetic effect.

Elle a accueilli la nouvelle avec des pleurs contenus.

She received the news with restrained crying.

'Contenus' (contained/restrained) is a high-level adjective choice.

Les pleurs du vent dans les sapins créaient une ambiance lugubre.

The weeping of the wind in the fir trees created a gloomy atmosphere.

Personification of nature using 'pleurs'.

Il s'est perdu dans les pleurs d'une mélancolie profonde.

He got lost in the cries of a deep melancholy.

Metaphorical and abstract structure.

On ne pouvait distinguer ses pleurs du bruit de la pluie.

One could not distinguish her crying from the sound of the rain.

Using 'distinguer... de...' for sensory nuances.

Ses pleurs n'étaient que le reflet d'une douleur plus ancienne.

Her crying was only the reflection of an older pain.

Philosophical observation using 'ne... que...'.

L'œuvre se termine sur un pleur final, sans résolution.

The work ends on a final cry, without resolution.

Singular 'pleur' used to signify a specific artistic note.

Le pleur de l'orgue accompagnait la procession funèbre.

The weeping of the organ accompanied the funeral procession.

Metaphorical singular 'pleur' applied to a musical instrument.

Elle s'abîmait dans des pleurs dont la source semblait tarie.

She was losing herself in crying whose source seemed dried up.

'S'abîmer dans' is a very formal way to say 'to be lost/engulfed in'.

Nul n'osait interrompre le pleur sacré de la prêtresse.

No one dared interrupt the sacred cry of the priestess.

Singular 'pleur' used in a mythic/ritualistic context.

C'était un pleur d'une pureté telle qu'il en devenait presque musical.

It was a cry of such purity that it became almost musical.

Using 'tel que' for result and 'en' for consequence.

Les pleurs de l'histoire résonnent à travers les siècles.

The cries of history resonate through the centuries.

Highly abstract and metaphorical personification of 'history'.

Il percevait dans chaque pleur la fragilité de l'existence humaine.

He perceived in every cry the fragility of human existence.

Singular 'pleur' used here to mean 'every instance of a cry'.

Le pleur de la muse est le sel de la poésie tragique.

The weeping of the muse is the salt of tragic poetry.

A highly elevated, classical French structure.

Ses pleurs n'étaient pas une fin, mais un recommencement.

Her crying was not an end, but a new beginning.

Using 'pleurs' as a catalyst for narrative change.

Colocaciones comunes

éclater en pleurs

fondre en pleurs

étouffer ses pleurs

pleurs déchirants

sécher ses pleurs

être en pleurs

pleurs de joie

calmer les pleurs

mêler ses pleurs

pleurs étouffés

Frases Comunes

Tout en pleurs

— Completely in tears. Used to describe someone who is visibly and heavily crying.

Elle est revenue tout en pleurs de son rendez-vous.

Crise de pleurs

— A crying fit. A sudden and intense period of crying that is hard to stop.

Il a fait une grosse crise de pleurs avant de s'endormir.

Noyer ses pleurs

— To drown one's cries/sorrow. Often used metaphorically with alcohol or intense activity.

Il essayait de noyer ses pleurs dans le travail.

Cacher ses pleurs

— To hide one's crying. To try to prevent others from seeing that one is upset.

Elle a tourné le dos pour cacher ses pleurs.

Passer la nuit en pleurs

— To spend the night crying. Indicates a long duration of grief.

Elle a passé une nouvelle nuit en pleurs.

Sans pleurs

— Without crying. Often used to describe a brave child or a dry goodbye.

La séparation s'est faite sans pleurs.

Le temps des pleurs

— The time for crying. A period of mourning.

Le temps des pleurs est passé, il faut agir maintenant.

Entre deux pleurs

— Between two cries. Used when someone is intermittently crying while doing something else.

Elle nous a raconté l'histoire entre deux pleurs.

Cesser les pleurs

— To stop the crying. Used mostly for babies or in a command.

Il faut faire cesser les pleurs de cet enfant.

Un océan de pleurs

— An ocean of cries. A hyperbolic way to describe extreme grief.

Sa vie n'était plus qu'un océan de pleurs.

Se confunde a menudo con

pleur vs pleurer

The verb form. Remember: 'pleurs' is the thing you hear, 'pleurer' is what you do.

pleur vs peur

Sounds similar but means 'fear'. Don't confuse 'J'ai peur' (I'm afraid) with 'J'ai des pleurs' (I have cries/I am crying).

pleur vs pleut

From the verb 'pleuvoir' (to rain). 'Il pleut' sounds similar to 'il pleure'.

Modismos y expresiones

"Pleurer comme une Madeleine"

— To cry very hard. References Mary Magdalene; while it uses the verb, it is the standard idiom for intense 'pleurs'.

Elle a pleuré comme une Madeleine tout le long du film.

neutral

"Avoir le don des pleurs"

— To have the 'gift' of tears. Used for someone who cries very easily or can cry on command.

Cette actrice a vraiment le don des pleurs.

literary

"Pleurer toutes les larmes de son corps"

— To cry all the tears in one's body. To cry until one is physically exhausted.

Après la rupture, il a pleuré toutes les larmes de son corps.

neutral

"Le mur des pleurs"

— The Wailing Wall. Though 'Mur des Lamentations' is official, this is a common descriptive alternative.

Ils se sont rendus au mur des pleurs pour prier.

neutral

"Pleurer à chaudes larmes"

— To cry hot tears. To cry deeply and sincerely.

L'enfant pleurait à chaudes larmes parce qu'il avait perdu son doudou.

neutral

"Rire aux pleurs"

— To laugh until one cries. Expressing extreme amusement.

On a tellement ri qu'on en a ri aux pleurs.

neutral

"Essuyer les pleurs de quelqu'un"

— To dry someone's tears. Metaphorically, to comfort someone.

Elle a toujours été là pour essuyer ses pleurs.

literary

"Un fleuve de pleurs"

— A river of cries. Used in poetry to describe immense suffering.

Le poète évoque un fleuve de pleurs qui traverse la ville.

literary

"Pleurer sur son sort"

— To cry over one's fate. To feel sorry for oneself.

Arrête de pleurer sur ton sort et cherche une solution.

neutral

"Ne pas avoir le cœur aux pleurs"

— To not be in the mood for crying. Usually means someone is too angry or shocked to cry.

Elle était trop en colère, elle n'avait pas le cœur aux pleurs.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

pleur vs larmes

Both relate to crying.

'Larmes' are the physical drops of water; 'pleurs' is the act or sound of crying.

Elle a des larmes aux yeux, mais ses pleurs sont silencieux.

pleur vs sanglots

Both are sounds made while crying.

'Sanglots' are specific convulsive gasps; 'pleurs' is the general term for crying.

Ses pleurs se sont transformés en sanglots incontrôlables.

pleur vs cris

Both are vocalizations.

'Cris' are shouts (can be joy, pain, anger); 'pleurs' specifically implies sadness/sobbing.

Les cris de joie ont remplacé les pleurs de tristesse.

pleur vs pleurnicheries

Same root.

Negative connotation; implies whining about something small.

On ne veut plus entendre tes pleurnicheries sur le temps.

pleur vs gémissements

Both are sounds of distress.

'Gémissements' are moans, often from physical pain; 'pleurs' are usually emotional.

Le blessé poussait des gémissements, pas des pleurs.

Patrones de oraciones

Le bébé fait des [pleurs].

Le bébé fait des pleurs.

Elle est [en pleurs].

Elle est en pleurs.

Il a [éclaté en pleurs].

Il a éclaté en pleurs.

Ses [pleurs] sont [adjective].

Ses pleurs sont bruyants.

Passer [le temps] [en pleurs].

Elle a passé la nuit en pleurs.

Le [pleur] de [noun].

Le pleur de la flûte.

Étousser ses [pleurs].

Elle étouffait ses pleurs.

S'abîmer dans les [pleurs].

Il s'abîmait dans les pleurs.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

pleur (singular, rare)

pleurs (plural, common)

pleurnicherie (whining)

pleureur (mourner/weeping tree)

Verbos

pleurer (to cry)

pleurnicher (to whine)

larmoyer (to have watery eyes)

Adjetivos

pleureux (tearful - rare)

pleurnichard (whiny)

larmoyant (sentimental/tearful)

pleureur (weeping, e.g., saule pleureur)

Relacionado

larme

sanglot

douleur

tristesse

deuil

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in the plural form, especially regarding infants and intense emotions.

Errores comunes

Using 'les pleurs' for 'tears' (the liquid). → Les larmes.
'Pleurs' is the act/sound. You can't have 'pleurs' in your eyes.
Pronouncing the 's' in 'pleurs'. → /plœʁ/
Final 's' is silent in French nouns like this.
Saying 'dans les pleurs' for 'in tears'. → En pleurs.
The preposition 'en' is required for this state.
Using 'pleur' (singular) in casual talk. → Les pleurs.
The singular sounds archaic or overly poetic in a normal conversation.
Confusing 'pleurs' with 'pleut' (rains). → Pleurs (noun) vs Pleut (verb).
They sound similar but 'pleut' is only for weather.

Consejos

Masculine plural

Always remember that 'pleurs' is masculine. Any adjectives must be in the masculine plural form. For example, 'ses pleurs amers' (his/her bitter cries).

Pleurs vs Larmes

If you are talking about what you hear, use 'pleurs'. If you are talking about what you see on someone's face, use 'larmes'.

Avoid the 's'

When speaking, the noun 'pleurs' and the verb 'pleure' sound identical. Don't try to pronounce the 's' to differentiate them.

Literary singular

If you see 'le pleur' in a book, don't think it's a mistake. It's a stylistic choice to make the crying sound more unique or poetic.

Baby talk

In a French nursery, you'll hear 'les pleurs' all the time. It's the standard word for baby crying.

En pleurs

Memorize 'en pleurs' as a single unit. It's the most useful way to use the noun in daily conversation.

Emotional depth

Use 'pleurs' instead of 'cri' when you want to emphasize sadness rather than just noise.

Sanglots

If the crying is very intense and involves shaking, use 'sanglots' to be more precise than 'pleurs'.

Social Media

On French social media, you might see people use emojis instead, but 'en pleurs' is often used to describe laughing really hard too (like 'I'm crying/dying').

The 'EU' sound

The sound /œ/ in 'pleur' is like a sigh. Let the sound reflect the meaning of the word.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Player' (sounds slightly like pleur) who lost the game and is now in 'pleurs' (tears). Or remember that 'Pleur' rhymes with 'Peur' (fear), and fear often leads to crying.

Asociación visual

Imagine a 'Saule Pleureur' (Weeping Willow). The long branches look like 'pleurs' (crying) falling from the tree. This connects the noun to a visual image of drooping sadness.

Word Web

Tristesse Larmes Sanglots Bébé Émotion Douleur Visage Son

Desafío

Try to write a three-sentence story using 'pleurs' (noun), 'pleurer' (verb), and 'en pleurs' (adverbial phrase) correctly.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'plorare', which meant 'to cry out' or 'to wail'. In Classical Latin, it was often used for public lamentation. As it transitioned into Old French, the 'o' shifted to 'eu', following standard phonetic evolution rules for stressed vowels in open syllables.

Significado original: To cry out or wail loudly.

Romance (Latin)

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to use 'pleurnicheries' with adults unless you intend to be insulting, as it infantilizes their emotions.

English speakers often use 'crying' as both noun and verb. In French, you must consciously switch to 'pleurs' when you need the noun. English 'tears' is often used where French prefers 'pleurs' to describe the sound.

Le Mur des Lamentations (often associated with the concept of pleurs). The poem 'Il pleure dans mon cœur' by Paul Verlaine (uses the verb but defines the mood). The 'Saule pleureur' (Weeping Willow) in Giverny painted by Monet.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Parenting

Les pleurs du soir
Calmer les pleurs
Décoder les pleurs
Bébé est en pleurs

Relationships

Éclater en pleurs
Cacher ses pleurs
Sécher ses pleurs
Une dispute en pleurs

Literature/Art

Le pleur de la muse
Un torrent de pleurs
Des pleurs amers
Mêler ses pleurs

Funerals/Grief

Une foule en pleurs
Étousser ses pleurs
Le temps des pleurs
Des pleurs sincères

Cinema/Theater

Simuler des pleurs
Une scène de pleurs
Finir en pleurs
Pleurs forcés

Inicios de conversación

"Qu'est-ce qui provoque généralement des pleurs de joie chez toi ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que les pleurs sont une bonne façon de libérer le stress ?"

"Comment est-ce qu'on calme les pleurs d'un bébé dans ta culture ?"

"Quel est le dernier film qui t'a mis en pleurs ?"

"Est-ce que tu arrives facilement à cacher tes pleurs en public ?"

Temas para diario

Décris un souvenir où tes pleurs se sont transformés en rires. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?

Penses-tu que la société française accepte mieux les pleurs que ta propre culture ?

Écris une courte scène de film qui se termine par des pleurs silencieux.

Réflexion : Pourquoi le son des pleurs d'un bébé est-il si difficile à ignorer ?

Invente une métaphore poétique utilisant le mot 'pleur' pour décrire la pluie.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In 99% of spoken French, yes. You use 'les pleurs'. The singular 'le pleur' is almost exclusively for poetry or medical papers describing a specific cry.

Yes, but 'des larmes de joie' is much more common. 'Pleurs' usually implies a more vocal or heavy state of being upset.

'Pleurs' is the general sound of crying. 'Sanglots' are the specific, sharp gasps for air that happen when you cry very hard (sobs).

Use the fixed phrase 'être en pleurs'. For example: 'Elle est en pleurs' (She is in tears).

It is masculine. So you say 'les pleurs bruyants' (masculine plural) and not 'bruyantes'.

Not really. For whining, use 'pleurnicherie'. 'Pleurs' is generally respected as genuine crying.

No, the 's' is silent. It is pronounced /plœʁ/.

Yes, you can use it for the whimpering of a dog or a cat if it sounds like crying.

It means 'to burst into tears'. It's a very common way to describe a sudden start of crying.

Only in poetry. 'Le pleur de la pluie' is a literary metaphor.

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