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B1 verb 11분 분량

ébranler

예시
설명 ébranler in your Level:
At the A1 level, ébranler is quite an advanced word, but you can understand it by thinking of 'shaking' something very big. Imagine a large house or a giant tree during a big storm. If the storm makes the house move a little bit, we say it 'ébranle' the house. It is like the word 'shake' but for things that are usually very strong and do not move. You won't use this word to talk about shaking a small bottle of water; for that, you would use secouer. Ébranler is for big, heavy things. You might see this word in simple stories about nature or big machines. For example, 'Le grand camion ébranle la route' (The big truck shakes the road). It helps you describe a strong vibration. At this level, focus on the physical meaning: big things moving because of a strong force. Remember that it is a regular verb ending in -er, so it follows the same patterns as parler or manger. You can say: 'J'ébranle', 'Tu ébranles', 'Il ébranle'. Even if you don't use it often, knowing it will help you understand more complex French sentences in the future. Think of it as a 'heavy' version of shaking. It's a great word to have in your vocabulary 'toolbox' for when you want to describe something powerful and impressive.
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At the A2 level, you can start to use ébranler to describe more than just physical shaking. While you still use it for things like buildings or large vehicles ('Le train ébranle le pont'), you can also begin to use it for simple emotions or ideas. Imagine someone who is very sure about something, and then they hear a small piece of bad news. That news might 'ébranler' their confidence. It means their confidence is not as strong as it was before. It is a very useful word because it shows that you can talk about things that are not just on the surface. You are talking about the 'foundation' of something. Another important form at this level is the reflexive form s'ébranler. This is used when a large group or a big vehicle starts to move. For example, 'Le bus s'ébranle' (The bus starts moving). It gives a sense of a heavy, slow start. When you use ébranler, you are showing that you understand the difference between a small movement (bouger) and a movement that affects the whole structure of something. Try to use it when talking about weather, big machines, or when someone is really surprised by something. It makes your French sound more descriptive and interesting to the listener.
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At the B1 level, ébranler becomes a key verb for expressing nuance in both physical and metaphorical contexts. You should be comfortable using it to describe the weakening of abstract concepts like la foi (faith), la confiance (confidence), or le pouvoir (power). For instance, 'Cette nouvelle a ébranlé sa confiance en lui' (This news shook his self-confidence). This level of French requires you to discuss opinions and feelings in more detail, and ébranler is perfect for that because it implies a deep impact. It is not just about being 'sad' or 'surprised'; it's about being 'unsettled' at a core level. You will also notice ébranler in news articles or more formal texts. It is often used in the passive voice: 'Le gouvernement a été ébranlé par les critiques' (The government was shaken by the criticisms). This shows that the government's stability is in danger. Pay attention to the prepositions that follow it; usually, you 'ébranle' something (direct object), or something is 'ébranlé par' something else. The word carries a certain weight and gravity, so it is best used in serious discussions. Using it correctly demonstrates that you have moved beyond basic vocabulary and are starting to grasp the literary and formal nuances of the French language. It is a verb that adds 'texture' to your descriptions of change and instability.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use ébranler with precision and to understand its various registers. You should recognize that it is a 'high-level' synonym for affaiblir (to weaken) or déstabiliser (to destabilize), but with a more evocative, physical imagery. In your writing, you can use it to describe historical events or social changes. For example, 'La Révolution a ébranlé les fondements de la société' (The Revolution shook the foundations of society). At this level, you should also be familiar with the noun form ébranlement, which refers to the shock or the state of being shaken. You can discuss how an 'ébranlement' in one part of the world affects another. Furthermore, you should be able to distinguish ébranler from its synonyms like secouer or émouvoir. While émouvoir means to move someone emotionally in a potentially positive way, ébranler almost always implies a negative or challenging disturbance. It suggests that something which was once solid is now vulnerable. Using ébranler in your essays or debates will help you articulate complex arguments about stability and change. It is also common in literary analysis to describe a character's 'crise de conscience' that 'ébranle' their moral compass. Mastery of this word at B2 shows a sophisticated command of French semantics and an ability to handle abstract and formal topics with ease.
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At the C1 level, your use of ébranler should be seamless and contextually perfect. You understand that this verb is not just about shaking, but about the ontological threat to an entity's existence or stability. You can use it in highly formal contexts, such as academic writing, political commentary, or advanced literary criticism. For example, you might analyze how a specific philosophical argument 'ébranle' the traditional metaphysical structures. You are also aware of the poetic potential of the word. In a C1 context, ébranler can describe the profound impact of art or music: 'Cette symphonie a ébranlé mon âme' (This symphony shook my soul). You should also be adept at using the pronominal s'ébranler to describe the commencement of large-scale movements, whether they are physical (an army) or metaphorical (a social movement). The nuance here is the 'heaviness' and 'inevitability' of the start. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like inébranlable (unshakeable), which is a common and powerful adjective used to describe someone with firm, unchanging convictions. 'Il a une volonté inébranlable' (He has an unshakeable will). At this level, you are not just learning the word; you are exploring its entire 'semantic field' and using it to add depth, gravity, and precision to your most complex thoughts. You can use it to describe the subtle shift from stability to chaos, capturing the exact moment when the first cracks appear in a structure.
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At the C2 level, ébranler is a tool for stylistic mastery. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing, leveraging its historical and literary connotations. You understand its place in the history of the French language, perhaps recognizing it in the works of 17th-century playwrights like Racine or 19th-century giants like Flaubert. You can use it with irony or for rhetorical effect, perhaps describing how a very small event 'ébranle' a very large but fragile ego. Your command of the word extends to its most subtle metaphorical applications, such as the 'ébranlement' of a scientific paradigm or the way a new law might 'ébranler' the legal framework of a nation. You are also a master of the adjective inébranlable, using it to contrast with the vulnerability implied by ébranler. In high-level debates, you might use the verb to challenge an opponent's premise: 'Votre argument n'ébranle en rien ma position.' At this stage, ébranler is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a part of your expressive identity in French. You can manipulate its intensity through choice of adverbs and surrounding imagery, moving from the literal vibration of a cathedral's bells to the existential trembling of a soul in crisis. You recognize that the beauty of ébranler lies in its ability to evoke the physical world to describe the invisible movements of the mind and society, and you use this power to produce French that is both precise and profoundly resonant.
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예시

The French verb ébranler is a sophisticated and evocative term that primarily translates to 'to shake,' 'to unsettle,' or 'to weaken.' While it shares some semantic space with the common verb secouer, ébranler carries a much deeper weight, often implying that the very foundations or stability of an object, a person, or an institution have been compromised. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical world of architecture and the internal world of human emotion and conviction. When you use this word, you are not just talking about a quick vibration; you are talking about a fundamental disturbance that threatens the integrity of whatever is being shaken. It is a favorite in literary contexts, political analysis, and serious psychological discussions because it captures the moment when something once firm begins to lose its grip.

Physical Shaking
In its most literal sense, ébranler refers to the physical act of making something heavy or solid vibrate or move. Think of a massive stone wall during an earthquake or a bridge under the weight of a heavy convoy. It implies a force so great that it moves something usually stationary.

L'explosion a suffi pour ébranler les fondations du vieux château médiéval.

Emotional and Mental Impact
Metaphorically, the word is used to describe a profound psychological impact. If a person receives news that changes their worldview or makes them doubt their core beliefs, their convictions are said to be ébranlées. It suggests a state of being deeply moved or troubled to the point of instability.

Cette révélation inattendue a fini par ébranler sa confiance en ses amis les plus proches.

Institutional and Political Contexts
In the realms of politics or business, ébranler describes the weakening of power, authority, or market stability. A major scandal might ébranler a government, or a sudden economic crash might ébranler the stock market. It signifies a threat to the established order.

Les manifestations massives ont commencé à ébranler le pouvoir du régime en place.

Furthermore, the verb can be used in a pronominal form, s'ébranler. When a large group, a train, or an army s'ébranle, it means they are beginning to move or set off, often with a sense of heavy, collective momentum. This nuance adds a layer of kinetic energy to the word, suggesting a massive start to a journey or operation. Whether you are describing a physical structure, a person's resolve, or a nation's stability, ébranler provides a powerful tool for expressing the vulnerability of things we typically consider solid and unchanging.

Le train s'est lentement mis à s'ébranler pour quitter la gare de Lyon.

Rien ne semblait pouvoir ébranler sa détermination à réussir son examen.

Using ébranler correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; it almost always takes a direct object—the thing that is being shaken or unsettled. Because it is a regular -er verb, you can apply standard conjugation rules, but the key to sounding natural lies in choosing the right objects to pair with it. It is rarely used for small, inconsequential items like a salt shaker (for which you would use secouer). Instead, reserve ébranler for things with significant mass, importance, or symbolic value.

Direct Objects of Physical Force
When describing physical action, use objects like les murs (the walls), les fondations (the foundations), le sol (the ground), or l'édifice (the building). The verb emphasizes the structural threat posed by the movement.

Le passage du camion citerne a fait ébranler toutes les vitres de la rue.

Abstract Objects of Emotional Impact
In metaphorical usage, the objects are often qualities of character or states of mind: la certitude (certainty), la foi (faith), la résolution (resolve), or le courage (courage). Here, the verb suggests that these internal anchors are being tested or weakened.

Ses arguments logiques ont fini par ébranler mes préjugés les plus ancrés.

Using the Pronominal Form 'S'ébranler'
The reflexive version, s'ébranler, is unique. It describes a large entity beginning to move. It is often used for vehicles like trains and ships, or for figurative movements like a project or a military campaign getting underway.

Toute la colonne de soldats s'est mise à s'ébranler dès l'aube.

In terms of tense usage, ébranler is frequently found in the passé composé to describe a specific event that caused a shock, or in the imparfait to describe a growing state of instability. In formal writing, the passé simple is also common. Because it is a verb of high impact, it is often accompanied by adverbs like profondément (deeply), sérieusement (seriously), or durablement (lastingly) to quantify the extent of the damage or the depth of the emotion. Mastery of this verb allows you to describe changes that are not just surface-level, but structural and transformative.

L'annonce de la faillite a ébranlé toute la structure de l'entreprise familiale.

Rien ne pourra ébranler notre amitié, quel que soit le conflit.

While ébranler might not be the first word you hear in a casual conversation at a café, it is omnipresent in French media, intellectual discourse, and literature. Understanding its natural habitats will help you recognize its nuances and use it with the correct register. It is a word of gravity, used when the stakes are high and the consequences are lasting.

News and Journalism
Journalists love ébranler because it sounds more dramatic and serious than affaiblir (to weaken). You will hear it in reports about political scandals that threaten a minister's position, economic crises that destabilize the Euro, or social movements that challenge traditional values.

Le scandale financier vient d'ébranler la confiance des investisseurs étrangers.

Literature and Philosophy
In French literature, from Victor Hugo to modern novelists, ébranler is used to describe the internal turmoil of characters. It is the perfect verb for a protagonist whose certainty is shattered by a tragic event or a philosophical realization. Philosophers use it when discussing how new ideas can 'shake' the foundations of thought.

Les épreuves de la vie n'ont pas réussi à ébranler sa sérénité intérieure.

Technical and Scientific Reports
In engineering or geology, the word is used literally. An earthquake 'ébranle' the earth's crust. A structural failure 'ébranle' the integrity of a skyscraper. It is used in official reports to describe the physical impact of vibrations or shocks.

Les secousses sismiques ont fini par ébranler la structure du barrage.

Socially, if you use ébranler in a discussion about your personal life, you are signaling that something has affected you deeply. It is more intense than saying 'I am sad' or 'I am stressed.' It implies that your sense of self or your future plans have been called into question. Because of this intensity, it is a word that commands attention and respect in a conversation. It shows that you possess a high level of French vocabulary and can articulate complex emotional and structural states with precision.

Son témoignage poignant a ébranlé les jurés lors du procès.

Le passage du TGV fait ébranler le sol à chaque fois qu'il traverse le village.

While ébranler is a powerful verb, its specific nuances make it prone to certain errors by English speakers. The most common mistakes involve confusing it with simpler synonyms, using it in the wrong register, or failing to recognize its structural implications. Because ébranler suggests a threat to stability, it cannot be used interchangeably with every word that means 'to move' or 'to shake.'

Confusing 'Ébranler' with 'Secouer'
The most frequent error is using ébranler for small, physical movements. You secouer a bottle of juice or a dusty rug. You do not ébranler them. Ébranler is reserved for massive structures or profound concepts. If the object doesn't have 'foundations' (literal or metaphorical), stick to secouer.

Faux: Il a ébranlé la main de son ami. (Correct: Il a serré/secoué la main).

Misusing the Pronominal Form
Learners often forget that s'ébranler specifically means 'to start moving' for large entities. They might try to use it to say 'I am shaking' (when cold or scared), but for that, you must use trembler. S'ébranler is about the beginning of a journey, not a physical shiver.

Faux: Je m'ébranle parce qu'il fait froid. (Correct: Je tremble de froid).

Over-using in Casual Speech
Because it is a high-register word, using ébranler to describe a minor inconvenience can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. If your friend is slightly late and it 'shakes' your plans, ébranler is too strong. Use perturber or déranger instead.

Faux: Le retard du bus a ébranlé mon après-midi. (Correct: ...a perturbé mon après-midi).

Finally, remember that ébranler implies a process of weakening. It doesn't necessarily mean the object has completely fallen apart yet, but that its stability is now in doubt. Using it to mean 'destroyed' (détruire) is a slight inaccuracy; it is the step that precedes destruction. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use ébranler with the precision of a native speaker, conveying exactly the right amount of gravity and structural concern.

Son autorité a été ébranlée par ses erreurs répétées.

Il ne faut pas laisser le doute ébranler vos convictions profondes.

To truly master ébranler, it is essential to understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. While several French verbs mean 'to shake' or 'to weaken,' each has a distinct flavor and specific context. Choosing the right one allows you to be more descriptive and accurate in your expression.

Ébranler vs. Secouer
Secouer is the everyday word for shaking. It is energetic and physical. You secouer a bottle or a person's shoulders. Ébranler is much more serious, implying a threat to the structure or the internal stability of the object. Secouer is a movement; ébranler is a disturbance.
Ébranler vs. Fragiliser
Fragiliser means 'to make fragile' or 'to weaken.' It is a direct result of being ébranlé. While ébranler focuses on the shock or the shaking action itself, fragiliser focuses on the resulting state of weakness. Ébranler is often more sudden, while fragiliser can be a gradual process.

L'échec a ébranlé son moral, ce qui a fini par fragiliser sa santé.

Ébranler vs. Déstabiliser
These are very close in meaning, especially in political or psychological contexts. Déstabiliser is more modern and often used in geopolitical terms (e.g., destabilizing a region). Ébranler is more classical and evocative, suggesting a physical vibration even when used metaphorically.

La nouvelle a ébranlé ses certitudes et déstabilisé tout son entourage.

Ébranler vs. Troubler
Troubler means 'to disturb' or 'to confuse.' It is less intense than ébranler. If you are troublé, you are slightly bothered or confused. If you are ébranlé, your foundations are shaking. Troubler is about the surface; ébranler is about the core.

When deciding which word to use, consider the 'mass' of the object and the 'depth' of the impact. If you want to convey that something massive or fundamental is at risk of falling or failing, ébranler is almost certainly your best choice. It provides a level of dramatic tension that simpler verbs like bouger (to move) or changer (to change) simply cannot match. By diversifying your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can tailor your French to the specific level of intensity required for any situation.

Le vent violent a fait ébranler les grands chênes de la forêt.

Rien ne peut ébranler son calme olympien, même en pleine crise.

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수준별 예문

1

Le gros camion ébranle la petite maison.

The big truck shakes the small house.

Present tense of a regular -er verb.

2

Le vent ébranle les arbres du jardin.

The wind shakes the trees in the garden.

Subject (le vent) + verb (ébranle) + object (les arbres).

3

Le tonnerre ébranle les fenêtres.

The thunder shakes the windows.

Plural object 'les fenêtres'.

4

Le train s'ébranle lentement.

The train starts moving slowly.

Reflexive form 's'ébranler' meaning to start moving.

5

Est-ce que tu ébranles la table ?

Are you shaking the table?

Question form using 'est-ce que'.

6

Nous n'ébranlons pas le mur.

We are not shaking the wall.

Negative form 'ne... pas'.

7

L'orage va ébranler la forêt.

The storm is going to shake the forest.

Near future with 'aller' + infinitive.

8

Le sol ébranle mes pieds.

The ground shakes my feet.

Simple transitive usage.

1

Cette mauvaise nouvelle a ébranlé son courage.

This bad news shook his courage.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Le navire s'ébranle pour son long voyage.

The ship sets off for its long journey.

Reflexive verb in the present tense.

3

Rien ne peut ébranler ma décision.

Nothing can shake my decision.

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

4

Les cris de la foule ébranlent le silence.

The shouts of the crowd shake the silence.

Metaphorical use of 'ébranler'.

5

Le séisme a ébranlé toute la région.

The earthquake shook the whole region.

Passé composé with a direct object.

6

Il ne faut pas ébranler les fondations.

The foundations must not be shaken.

Impersonal 'il ne faut pas'.

7

L'armée s'ébranle aux premières lueurs du jour.

The army sets off at the first light of day.

Classic use of 's'ébranler' for a group.

8

Le bruit ébranle ma tête.

The noise is shaking my head.

Describing a physical sensation.

1

Le scandale a fini par ébranler la confiance du public.

The scandal eventually shook public confidence.

Use of 'finir par' + infinitive.

2

Ses doutes commençaient à ébranler sa foi.

His doubts were beginning to shake his faith.

Imperfect tense 'commençaient' to show a progressive state.

3

Le passage du métro ébranle quotidiennement l'immeuble.

The passage of the subway shakes the building daily.

Adverb 'quotidiennement' modifying the frequency.

4

Elle a été profondément ébranlée par ce témoignage.

She was deeply shaken by this testimony.

Passive voice with feminine agreement 'ébranlée'.

5

Rien ne semblait pouvoir ébranler sa détermination.

Nothing seemed able to shake his determination.

Verb 'sembler' + infinitive.

6

Les manifestants tentent d'ébranler le pouvoir en place.

The protesters are trying to shake the current power.

Verb 'tenter de' + infinitive.

7

Le convoi s'est ébranlé sous les applaudissements.

The convoy set off amidst applause.

Reflexive passé composé with 'être'.

8

Cette découverte pourrait ébranler nos théories actuelles.

This discovery could shake our current theories.

Conditional mood 'pourrait' to show possibility.

1

L'instabilité économique risque d'ébranler les marchés mondiaux.

Economic instability risks shaking global markets.

Verb 'risquer de' + infinitive.

2

Il a fallu un événement tragique pour ébranler ses certitudes.

It took a tragic event to shake his certainties.

Structure 'il a fallu... pour'.

3

Le mur de soutènement a été ébranlé par les inondations.

The retaining wall was shaken by the floods.

Passive voice with 'par' indicating the agent.

4

Ses arguments n'ont pas réussi à ébranler mon opinion.

His arguments did not succeed in shaking my opinion.

Negation of 'réussir à' + infinitive.

5

La structure sociale fut ébranlée par ces réformes radicales.

The social structure was shaken by these radical reforms.

Passé simple in passive voice (formal).

6

Elle craignait que cette affaire n'ébranle sa réputation.

She feared that this affair might shake her reputation.

Subjunctive mood after 'craindre que' with 'ne' explétif.

7

Le vieux pont s'ébranlait à chaque passage de voiture.

The old bridge shook with every passing car.

Imperfect tense to show repeated action.

8

L'annonce de son départ a ébranlé toute l'équipe.

The announcement of his departure shook the whole team.

Transitive use with a collective noun.

1

Cette crise existentielle a fini par ébranler les piliers de sa pensée.

This existential crisis eventually shook the pillars of his thought.

Highly metaphorical use with 'piliers'.

2

Il est rare de voir un homme à la volonté si inébranlable.

It is rare to see a man with such an unshakeable will.

Usage of the related adjective 'inébranlable'.

3

Les révélations de l'enquête sont de nature à ébranler l'institution.

The revelations of the investigation are likely to shake the institution.

Phrase 'être de nature à' + infinitive.

4

L'ébranlement provoqué par la chute du régime fut immense.

The shock caused by the fall of the regime was immense.

Use of the noun 'ébranlement'.

5

Rien, pas même la menace, ne saurait ébranler son intégrité.

Nothing, not even the threat, could shake his integrity.

Use of 'saurait' (conditional of savoir) to mean 'could' in formal French.

6

Le sol s'ébranla violemment lors de la première déflagration.

The ground shook violently during the first explosion.

Passé simple of the reflexive form.

7

Ces découvertes archéologiques ébranlent nos certitudes sur le passé.

These archaeological discoveries shake our certainties about the past.

Present tense for a general truth.

8

Sa voix, d'habitude si ferme, parut s'ébranler un instant.

His voice, usually so firm, seemed to falter for a moment.

Metaphorical use for a voice losing its stability.

1

L'édifice conceptuel de sa philosophie fut ébranlé par cette seule objection.

The conceptual edifice of his philosophy was shaken by this single objection.

Passive voice in the passé simple, very formal.

2

Le poète cherche à ébranler les consciences endormies de ses contemporains.

The poet seeks to shake the slumbering consciences of his contemporaries.

Metaphorical and rhetorical usage.

3

L'ébranlement de la monarchie était déjà perceptible dans les écrits de l'époque.

The weakening of the monarchy was already perceptible in the writings of the time.

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