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B1 noun 11 دقیقه مطالعه

gouffre

مثال‌ها gouffre در ۳۰ ثانیه
توضیح gouffre in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'un gouffre' is a very, very big hole. Think of it like a giant 'trou' (hole). While you might not use it often yourself, you might see it on a map if you go on vacation to the French countryside. It is a masculine word, so you say 'le gouffre'. If you want to say something is very big and deep, you can use this word. For example, if you see a very deep place in the ground, you can say 'Regarde, c'est un gouffre !' It is simpler to stick to 'un grand trou' for now, but knowing 'gouffre' helps you understand signs and basic descriptions of nature. Just remember: Gouffre = Big Deep Hole. It is not for small holes like in your clothes. It is for nature. You can also remember it by thinking of the English word 'gulf', although they are slightly different. Focus on the physical meaning first.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'gouffre' to describe natural landscapes more accurately. Instead of just saying 'un grand trou', you can use 'un gouffre' to show you have better vocabulary. You should also learn that it is common in French geography. You might say 'Nous avons visité un gouffre pendant nos vacances'. You can also start to use it in very simple metaphors, like 'un gouffre financier' if you are talking about something that costs a lot of money, though this is more common at higher levels. The main thing at A2 is to get the gender right (le gouffre) and to use it for deep, vertical spaces. You might hear it in weather reports or travel guides. It's a good word to use when you want to sound more descriptive than a beginner. Try to pair it with adjectives like 'profond' (deep) or 'impressionnant' (impressive).
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'gouffre' both physically and metaphorically. This is where the word becomes very useful. You should use it to describe a 'money pit' (un gouffre financier) or a 'time sink' (un gouffre à temps). You can use it to talk about social issues, like the 'gouffre' between the rich and the poor. At this level, you should understand that 'gouffre' implies something that 'swallows' things up. It's not just a gap; it's a void. You should also be able to use the preposition 'à' for things that are consumed (un gouffre à essence) and 'de' for what the void is made of (un gouffre de désespoir). This level requires you to understand the emotional weight of the word. It's a great word for expressing frustration or awe. You will see it frequently in French newspapers and magazines, especially when they are criticizing government spending or social divisions.
At the B2 level, you should use 'gouffre' with nuance and precision. You can use it to describe complex psychological states or sophisticated social theories. You should understand the difference between 'gouffre', 'abîme', and 'fossé' and choose the right one for the context. For instance, you might use 'gouffre' to describe a total lack of communication between two people. You should also be familiar with literary uses of the word. B2 learners should be able to write an essay using 'gouffre' to describe a metaphorical descent into a difficult situation. You should also know common idioms and set phrases. Your pronunciation should be clear, and you should use the word naturally in debates or discussions about economics or society. It's a word that adds a lot of 'flavor' and 'gravity' to your speech, making you sound more like a native speaker who understands the dramatic flair of the French language.
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At the C1 level, 'gouffre' becomes a tool for stylistic expression. You should be able to appreciate how authors like Baudelaire or Hugo used the word to create atmosphere and depth in their poetry. You can use it in high-level academic or professional contexts to describe structural deficits or profound philosophical voids. You should be able to use it in irony or sarcasm, such as calling a small but annoying expense a 'gouffre'. Your understanding of the word's etymology and its place in French culture should be deep. You can use it to discuss the 'gouffre' of history or the 'gouffre' of human consciousness. At this level, you don't just know what the word means; you know how to wield it to evoke specific emotions in your audience. You are aware of the subtle registers, from the technical speleological term to the most abstract metaphysical concept.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'gouffre' is complete. You can use it in any context, from a scientific paper on karst topography to a profound philosophical treatise. You understand all its historical connotations and can use it to make subtle intertextual references to French literature. You can play with the word, using it in puns or complex metaphors that combine its physical and abstract meanings. You have a perfect grasp of its collocations and can invent new, creative uses that still feel naturally French. For a C2 learner, 'gouffre' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual building block that you can use to describe the most extreme and profound aspects of the human experience and the natural world. You can effortlessly switch between its literal, figurative, and hyperbolic uses, always choosing the one that fits the rhetorical needs of your discourse perfectly.
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مثال‌ها

gouffre در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • A 'gouffre' is a deep, vertical chasm or abyss in the earth, often found in limestone regions.
  • It is frequently used metaphorically to describe a 'money pit' or a massive financial loss.
  • The word also signifies a profound gap or separation between people, ideas, or social classes.
  • Grammatically, it is a masculine noun (un gouffre) and is more dramatic than the word 'trou'.
The French word gouffre is a powerful noun that primarily describes a deep, often vertical, natural cavity or chasm in the earth. To an English speaker, it translates most directly to "abyss," "chasm," or "pit." However, its usage extends far beyond the physical landscape of caves and mountains. In the French language, a gouffre represents not just a hole, but a sense of overwhelming depth, danger, and inevitability. When you use this word, you are evoking an image of something that consumes or swallows everything around it. This could be a physical hole in a limestone plateau, but more often in modern conversation, it refers to something that drains resources, time, or emotional energy.
Physical Nature
In a geological sense, a gouffre is a vertical shaft, common in karst landscapes, where water has eroded the rock to create a precipice that seems bottomless. It is a term frequently used by speleologists (cave explorers).

Les explorateurs ont découvert un gouffre de plus de cent mètres de profondeur au cœur de la montagne.

Beyond the physical, the word is a staple of French literature and journalism to describe financial disasters. A "gouffre financier" is a project or an investment that consumes vast amounts of money without ever showing a return. It is the "money pit" of English, but with a more dramatic, catastrophic tone.
Metaphorical Depth
Metaphorically, it can describe a psychological state. One might feel they are falling into a gouffre of despair or loneliness. It signifies a void that cannot be filled.

Après la perte de son emploi, il a eu l'impression de tomber dans un gouffre sans fin.

In social contexts, it describes a vast difference or separation between two things. If two people have completely opposite opinions, there is a "gouffre" between them. It is more than just a gap; it is a profound separation that seems impossible to bridge.
Social Division
Used to describe the 'generation gap' or 'wealth gap' (un gouffre social), highlighting the extreme disparity between social classes or age groups.

Il existe un gouffre culturel entre ces deux générations.

Cette vieille maison est un véritable gouffre à calories car elle est mal isolée.

In summary, whether you are exploring the caves of the Périgord or discussing the national debt, 'gouffre' is the word of choice for anything that represents a deep, consuming, and often frightening void. It is a word of weight and gravity, used to convey the seriousness of a situation, whether physical, financial, or emotional. It is essential for B1 learners to master this word to move beyond simple descriptions of 'holes' and into the realm of more expressive and nuanced French.
Using gouffre correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role and its common pairings. As a masculine noun, it is always preceded by 'un', 'le', or 'ce'. Its most frequent grammatical construction involves the preposition 'de' to specify what kind of abyss we are talking about. For example, 'un gouffre de solitude' (a chasm of solitude) or 'un gouffre de dettes' (a pit of debt).
The Prepositional Link
The structure [Noun] + 'de' + [Noun] is the most common way to use 'gouffre' figuratively. It defines the nature of the void.

Il se sentait aspiré par un gouffre d'incertitude concernant son avenir.

When describing physical locations, 'gouffre' often stands alone or is followed by a place name. In France, many famous natural landmarks are named 'Gouffre de...', such as the Gouffre de Padirac. In these cases, it acts as a proper noun.
Verbal Associations
Common verbs used with 'gouffre' include 'tomber' (to fall), 'plonger' (to dive/plunge), 'creuser' (to dig/widen), and 'combler' (to fill/bridge).

Il est difficile de combler le gouffre entre les riches et les pauvres dans cette ville.

Another nuance is the use of 'gouffre' to describe a person's appetite. If someone eats a lot, you might call them 'un gouffre'. This is a hyperbolic way of saying their stomach is a bottomless pit.
Hyperbolic Usage
Using 'gouffre' to describe a person's stomach or appetite is common in familial or informal settings.

Mon fils adolescent est un véritable gouffre ; il mange tout ce qu'il y a dans le frigo.

Le projet de rénovation du vieux château est devenu un gouffre financier pour la municipalité.

Finally, note the distinction between 'un gouffre' and 'un trou'. A 'trou' is any hole, like a hole in a sock or a hole in the ground. A 'gouffre' is specifically large, deep, and usually dangerous. Using 'gouffre' instead of 'trou' adds a layer of intensity and scale to your description. It tells the listener that the hole isn't just there; it is significant and potentially life-altering. Whether you are describing a literal canyon or a metaphorical debt, choosing 'gouffre' signals a higher level of French proficiency and a better grasp of emotional weight.
You will encounter gouffre in several specific contexts in French-speaking life. One of the most common places is in the news, particularly in the business or political sections. Journalists frequently use the term 'gouffre financier' to criticize public spending projects that have gone over budget. If a new stadium or a high-speed train line costs three times its original estimate, it will inevitably be labeled a 'gouffre' in the evening news.
News and Media
Used to describe runaway costs or insurmountable debts in national or international economics.

Les journaux titrent sur le gouffre budgétaire laissé par l'ancienne administration.

In the world of tourism and geography, 'gouffre' is a standard term. France is famous for its karst topography, and signs for 'Gouffre de Padirac' or 'Gouffre d'Esparros' are common in regions like the Lot or the Pyrenees. If you are a hiker or an amateur geologist, you will see this word on maps and trail markers constantly.
Literature and Poetry
Classic French writers like Victor Hugo and Charles Baudelaire used 'gouffre' to symbolize the existential void, death, or the overwhelming power of nature.

Baudelaire écrit souvent sur le gouffre de l'ennui qui dévore l'âme humaine.

In everyday conversation, you might hear it used as a complaint. A car that uses too much gas is 'un gouffre à essence'. A house that is cold and expensive to heat is 'un gouffre thermique'. It is a very practical word for expressing frustration with inefficiency.
Everyday Complaints
Used to describe inefficient machines or systems that consume more than they should.

Ma vieille voiture est un gouffre à carburant, je dois en changer bientôt.

Le héros doit traverser le gouffre des ténèbres pour sauver la princesse.

Finally, in social commentary, you will hear about 'le gouffre générationnel'. This is the 'generation gap'—the idea that young and old people live in different worlds and cannot understand each other. It is a strong term that suggests the divide is deep and perhaps natural, like a canyon. Listening for 'gouffre' in these varied settings will help you understand that it is a word of extremes, used whenever a simple 'gap' or 'hole' isn't enough to describe the scale of the situation.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with gouffre is a gender mistake. Because it ends in 'e', many learners instinctively want to make it feminine (la gouffre). However, it is strictly masculine: le gouffre. This is a crucial distinction, as using the wrong article immediately marks you as a beginner.
Gender Error
Always remember: 'un gouffre profond' (masculine), not 'une gouffre profonde' (feminine).

Il y a un gouffre immense entre nos deux points de vue.

Another common mistake is using 'gouffre' for small holes. You should never use 'gouffre' to describe a hole in your pocket or a small pothole in the road. For those, 'un trou' is the appropriate word. Using 'gouffre' for a small hole sounds either like a joke (sarcastic hyperbole) or a lack of vocabulary.
Confusion with 'Abîme'
While 'abîme' and 'gouffre' are synonyms, 'abîme' is more poetic and abstract. 'Gouffre' is more concrete and geological. Don't use 'abîme' for a financial drain; that's almost always a 'gouffre'.

C'est un gouffre financier, pas un abîme financier.

Learners also sometimes forget the preposition 'à' in specific compound expressions. While we use 'de' for the contents (un gouffre de tristesse), we use 'à' for the thing being consumed (un gouffre à argent, un gouffre à calories). Confusing 'à' and 'de' in these contexts can make the sentence sound awkward.
Preposition Pitfalls
Use 'à' when the 'gouffre' is a consumer of something (fuel, money, time). Use 'de' when describing what the abyss consists of.

Ce projet est un gouffre à temps, nous n'en finirons jamais.

Il ne faut pas confondre un gouffre avec un simple précipice.

Lastly, avoid using 'gouffre' as a verb. In English, we might say "the costs are abysmal," but in French, you cannot turn 'gouffre' into an adjective or verb easily. You must use the noun structure. Instead of saying "the debt is gouffring," you say "la dette est un gouffre." Sticking to the noun form will help you avoid ungrammatical constructions. By paying attention to these nuances—gender, scale, prepositions, and grammatical category—you will use 'gouffre' with the precision of a native speaker.
To truly master gouffre, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. The most direct synonym is abîme. While they are often interchangeable, abîme is more literary and often used in philosophical or religious contexts. You might fall into an abîme of thought, but you fall into a gouffre in the woods.
Gouffre vs. Abîme
'Gouffre' is more concrete and physical; 'abîme' is more abstract and poetic. 'Gouffre' is the standard choice for financial or technical contexts.

L'esprit humain est un abîme de complexité (Poetic).

Another related word is précipice. A précipice is a steep cliff or a drop-off. The main difference is that a gouffre is a hole you fall into, while a précipice is an edge you fall off. You stand on the edge of a précipice, but you look down into a gouffre.
Gouffre vs. Trou
'Trou' is the generic word for any hole. 'Gouffre' is a specific, massive, and deep hole. 'Trou' is neutral; 'gouffre' is dramatic.

Il a un trou dans sa chaussette, pas un gouffre !

In a metaphorical sense, you might use fossé (ditch/gap). Un fossé is often used to describe a social or ideological gap. While gouffre implies a massive, terrifying separation, fossé is a bit more common for everyday disagreements. If the gap is widening but still bridgeable, use fossé. If it seems impossible to cross, use gouffre.
Gouffre vs. Faille
'Faille' means a fault or a crack. It is often used for a flaw in someone's logic or a geological fault line. It is narrower than a 'gouffre'.

Il y a une faille dans son raisonnement, mais ce n'est pas encore un gouffre.

La perte est gérable, mais si ça continue, ce sera un gouffre.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the exact level of intensity you need. Whether you want to be poetic (abîme), descriptive (précipice), neutral (trou), or critical (gouffre), having these words in your toolkit makes your French more precise and expressive. 'Gouffre' remains the king of describing things that are deep, dangerous, and all-consuming.
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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Il y a un grand gouffre dans la montagne.

There is a big chasm in the mountain.

Uses 'un' (masculine) for 'gouffre'.

2

Le gouffre est très profond.

The chasm is very deep.

Adjective 'profond' matches the masculine noun.

3

Regarde ce gouffre !

Look at this chasm!

Use 'ce' for masculine singular.

4

C'est un gouffre noir.

It is a black abyss.

Color adjective follows the noun.

5

Le gouffre est dangereux.

The chasm is dangerous.

Masculine adjective 'dangereux'.

6

Il y a de l'eau dans le gouffre.

There is water in the chasm.

Preposition 'dans' indicates location.

7

Le gouffre est loin d'ici.

The chasm is far from here.

Adverbial phrase 'loin de'.

8

C'est un petit gouffre.

It is a small chasm.

'Petit' comes before the noun.

1

Nous avons visité un magnifique gouffre hier.

We visited a magnificent chasm yesterday.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Le gouffre de Padirac est célèbre en France.

The Padirac Chasm is famous in France.

Proper noun usage.

3

Attention, ne tombe pas dans le gouffre !

Watch out, don't fall into the chasm!

Imperative mood.

4

Les explorateurs descendent dans le gouffre.

The explorers are going down into the chasm.

Present tense of 'descendre'.

5

Ce gouffre est une merveille de la nature.

This chasm is a wonder of nature.

'Merveille' is feminine, but refers to 'gouffre'.

6

Il y a beaucoup de légendes sur ce gouffre.

There are many legends about this chasm.

Quantifier 'beaucoup de'.

7

Le gouffre est entouré de grands arbres.

The chasm is surrounded by tall trees.

Passive construction.

8

On peut voir le fond du gouffre avec une lampe.

One can see the bottom of the chasm with a lamp.

Use of 'on' for 'one' or 'we'.

1

Cette vieille voiture est un véritable gouffre à essence.

This old car is a real gas guzzler.

Metaphorical use with 'à essence'.

2

Il existe un gouffre entre leurs deux opinions.

There is a chasm between their two opinions.

Metaphorical use for disagreement.

3

Son nouveau projet est un gouffre financier.

His new project is a money pit.

Common collocation 'gouffre financier'.

4

Elle a l'impression de tomber dans un gouffre de tristesse.

She feels like she's falling into a chasm of sadness.

Abstract use with 'de tristesse'.

5

Le gouvernement doit combler le gouffre budgétaire.

The government must bridge the budget gap.

Verb 'combler' used with 'gouffre'.

6

C'est un gouffre à calories, ce gâteau !

This cake is a calorie bomb!

Informal hyperbolic use.

7

Le gouffre social s'élargit chaque année.

The social chasm widens every year.

Reflexive verb 's'élargir'.

8

Il a dépensé tout son héritage dans ce gouffre.

He spent all his inheritance in this pit.

Use of 'dans' for the destination of money.

1

Le silence qui suivit sa question semblait être un gouffre sans fond.

The silence that followed his question seemed to be a bottomless pit.

Use of 'sembler être'.

2

La réforme a créé un gouffre entre les syndicats et le patronat.

The reform created a chasm between the unions and the management.

Transitive verb 'créer'.

3

Il s'est retrouvé aspiré par le gouffre de la drogue.

He found himself sucked into the abyss of drugs.

Past participle 'aspiré' as an adjective.

4

Le gouffre séparant la théorie de la pratique est immense.

The chasm separating theory from practice is immense.

Present participle 'séparant'.

5

L'entreprise est au bord du gouffre à cause de la crise.

The company is on the brink of the abyss because of the crisis.

Idiom 'au bord du gouffre'.

6

Elle regarde le gouffre du passé avec nostalgie.

She looks at the abyss of the past with nostalgia.

Metaphorical use of time.

7

Le projet de tunnel est devenu un gouffre sans fin pour les contribuables.

The tunnel project has become an endless pit for taxpayers.

Adjective 'sans fin'.

8

Il faut éviter que ce différend ne devienne un gouffre insurmontable.

We must prevent this dispute from becoming an insurmountable chasm.

Subjunctive mood after 'éviter que'.

1

Baudelaire explore le gouffre de l'existence dans ses poèmes.

Baudelaire explores the abyss of existence in his poems.

Literary analysis.

2

L'incompréhension mutuelle a creusé un gouffre entre les deux nations.

Mutual misunderstanding has dug a chasm between the two nations.

Verb 'creuser' (to dig).

3

Le gouffre entre les promesses électorales et la réalité est flagrant.

The chasm between election promises and reality is blatant.

Adjective 'flagrant'.

4

Elle se sentait vaciller au bord du gouffre de la folie.

She felt herself wavering on the edge of the abyss of madness.

Verb 'vaciller' (to waver/stagger).

5

Le gouffre technologique rend certains emplois obsolètes.

The technological gap makes certain jobs obsolete.

Noun as an adjective modifier.

6

L'absence de régulation a ouvert un gouffre pour les spéculateurs.

The lack of regulation opened a void for speculators.

Abstract opportunity as a 'gouffre'.

7

Le gouffre des inégalités ne cesse de se creuser.

The chasm of inequalities never stops widening.

Negative construction 'ne cesse de'.

8

Il a fallu beaucoup de courage pour ne pas sombrer dans le gouffre.

It took a lot of courage not to sink into the abyss.

Verb 'sombrer' (to sink).

1

Le texte s'articule autour de la métaphore du gouffre comme espace de transition.

The text is structured around the metaphor of the abyss as a space of transition.

Academic phrasing.

2

L'ontologie de l'être se heurte souvent au gouffre du néant.

The ontology of being often clashes with the abyss of nothingness.

Philosophical terminology.

3

Le gouffre sémantique entre ces deux termes prête à confusion.

The semantic chasm between these two terms leads to confusion.

Technical linguistic use.

4

Il y a dans son regard un gouffre insondable de mélancolie.

There is in his gaze an unfathomable abyss of melancholy.

Adjective 'insondable' (unfathomable).

5

La gestion de cette crise a révélé un gouffre de compétences au sein de l'élite.

The management of this crisis revealed a chasm of competence within the elite.

Metaphorical lack of skill.

6

Le gouffre abyssal des dettes souveraines menace l'équilibre mondial.

The abyssal chasm of sovereign debts threatens global balance.

Redundant but emphatic 'abyssal gouffre'.

7

Le poète se complaît dans la contemplation du gouffre intérieur.

The poet delights in the contemplation of the inner abyss.

Reflexive verb 'se complaire'.

8

Le gouffre du temps finit par tout effacer, même les plus grands empires.

The abyss of time eventually erases everything, even the greatest empires.

Temporal metaphor.

ترکیب‌های رایج

gouffre financier
gouffre profond
gouffre sans fond
gouffre à essence
gouffre social
combler le gouffre
au bord du gouffre
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