이 페이지를 내 언어로

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adjective 12분 분량

interloqué

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 interloqué 30초 만에

설명 interloqué in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn 'surpris' (surprised). The word 'interloqué' is much more advanced. It is an adjective that describes someone who is so surprised they don't know what to say. Think of it like being 'frozen' by a strange question. You don't need to use this word yet, but if you see it, remember it means 'very surprised and confused'. It changes slightly if it's a man or a woman: 'Il est interloqué' (man) or 'Elle est interloquée' (woman). It is a good word to recognize in stories where characters are shocked by something weird. For now, focus on the 'é' sound at the end, which is common in French adjectives describing feelings.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

As an A2 learner, you are starting to describe emotions in more detail. 'Interloqué' is a step above 'étonné' (astonished). It describes a reaction to something that doesn't make sense. If your teacher suddenly starts singing in the middle of a grammar lesson, you would be 'interloqué'. You should start noticing that this word is often used with 'être' (to be) or 'rester' (to remain). Remember the agreement: 'Nous sommes interloqués' if you are talking about a group. It's a 'strong' word, so use it when 'surpris' feels too weak for the situation. It helps you sound more natural when telling stories about things that confused you.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At B1, 'interloqué' is a key vocabulary word for reaching the next level of fluency. It allows you to express a specific nuance: being 'taken aback' or 'dumbfounded'. At this level, you should be able to use it in sentences like 'Je suis resté interloqué par sa réponse.' It is very useful for the 'DELF B1' exam when you have to describe a reaction to a social situation. It shows you understand that surprise can involve a moment of speechlessness. You should also learn the prepositions that go with it, like 'par' (by) and 'devant' (at). It's a standard word in newspapers and books, so you'll see it often in your reading practice. It's formal enough for work but common enough for friends.

For B2 learners, 'interloqué' should be part of your active vocabulary. You should distinguish it from synonyms like 'sidéré', 'médusé', or 'déconcerté'. You understand that 'interloqué' specifically implies a break in the flow of conversation or thought. You can use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as starting a sentence with it: 'Interloqué par la tournure des événements, il décida de partir.' At this level, you are expected to use such adjectives to add color and precision to your arguments and narratives. You also recognize its literary feel and can use it to describe the psychological state of characters in a text analysis.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C1 level, you use 'interloqué' with ease and precision. You understand its etymological roots (from 'interloqui' - to speak between/interrupt) and how that history informs its current meaning of being 'interrupted' by surprise. You can use it in highly formal contexts, such as an essay on social behavior or a professional report on an unexpected market shift. You might also use it ironically or for stylistic effect in creative writing. You are aware of its collocations and can pair it with sophisticated adverbs like 'singulièrement interloqué' or 'fort interloqué'. You understand the subtle difference between this and more visceral words like 'ébahi' or 'pétrifié'.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At C2, you have a masterly grasp of 'interloqué'. You can appreciate its use in 19th-century literature versus modern journalism. You might discuss the stylistic choice an author makes by choosing 'interloqué' over 'pantois' or 'décontenancé'. You use it naturally in high-level debates to describe your reaction to a logical fallacy or an unprecedented argument. Your use of the word is perfectly integrated with complex syntax and varying registers. You might even use the rarer verb form 'interloquer' in a causative sense ('Cela m'interloque') though you know the adjectival use remains the standard. You are sensitive to the rhythm it adds to a sentence.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

interloqué 30초 만에

Interloqué means being speechless with surprise or dumbfounded by something unexpected or logicaly confusing.
It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number with the person it describes (interloqué, interloquée).
It is commonly used with the verb 'rester' (to remain) to describe a state of shocked silence.
It belongs to standard and formal French, frequently appearing in literature, news, and adult conversation.

The French adjective interloqué is a sophisticated and evocative word used to describe a specific state of mind: being completely taken aback, speechless, or dumbfounded. While basic learners might reach for 'surpris' (surprised) or 'étonné' (astonished), a B1-level speaker uses interloqué to convey a sense of sudden mental paralysis caused by something unexpected, illogical, or slightly absurd. It suggests that the person has been 'interrupted' in their train of thought or speech, leaving them momentarily unable to respond. Imagine someone asking you a question so bizarre that you just stare at them for five seconds—that is the essence of being interloqué.

Nuance of Disbelief: Unlike simple surprise, which can be positive (a birthday party), being interloqué often carries a hint of confusion or mild disapproval. It is the reaction to a non-sequitur or a breach of social norms.

Devant une telle impolitesse, le directeur est resté complètement interloqué.

This word is particularly frequent in narrative writing and journalism. When a politician makes a shocking statement, the opposing party might be described as interloqué. It implies a physical reaction: the mouth might hang open slightly, the eyes widen, and the voice fails. It is a 'frozen' state. Because it ends in '-é', it functions as a regular adjective that must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes: interloqué (m.s.), interloquée (f.s.), interloqués (m.p.), and interloquées (f.p.).

In social contexts, using this word demonstrates a high level of linguistic nuance. It shows you understand that not all surprises are equal. If a friend tells you they are moving to Mars tomorrow, you aren't just 'surpris'; you are interloqué because the news is so far outside the realm of expected reality. It is the perfect word for the 'Wait, what?' moment in French culture.

Elle me regardait d'un air interloqué, comme si je venais de parler une langue inconnue.

Register and Frequency: It belongs to the 'courant' (standard) to 'soutenu' (formal) registers. You will hear it on the news, read it in novels (especially detective stories like Maigret), and use it in professional settings to describe a reaction to unexpected data or behavior.

Les passants, interloqués par la scène, s'arrêtèrent pour observer la dispute.

Furthermore, interloqué often appears with verbs of state like 'être' (to be), 'rester' (to remain), or 'sembler' (to seem). 'Rester interloqué' is a very common collocation, emphasizing the duration of the stunned silence. It paints a picture of someone who has been hit by a verbal or situational 'brick', leaving them static. In a world where French speakers value quick wit and 'répartie', being interloqué is a significant, albeit temporary, loss of social footing.

Je suis resté interloqué quand il a annoncé sa démission soudaine.

Visualizing the Word: Think of a record player needle skipping across a vinyl disk. The music stops, there is a scratchy silence, and for a moment, the rhythm is gone. That 'skip' in the conversation is the feeling of being interloqué.

La foule était interloquée par l'audace de l'artiste sur scène.

Using interloqué correctly requires attention to two main things: grammatical agreement and the verb it accompanies. Since it is an adjective, it must match the person who is feeling surprised. If you are a woman saying 'I was dumbfounded,' you must write 'Je suis restée interloquée.' If you are talking about a group of people, use 'interloqués' or 'interloquées'. This grammatical precision is what separates a B1 learner from an A2 learner.

Common Verb Pairings: The most natural way to use this word is with the verb 'rester' (to remain). This highlights the state of being stuck in surprise. Example: 'Il est resté interloqué.' You can also use 'être' (to be), 'sembler' (to seem), or 'paraître' (to appear).

Sa réponse nous a laissés interloqués pendant de longues minutes.

Another important aspect is the preposition that follows it. Often, we are dumbfounded *by* something. In French, we use 'par' (by) or 'devant' (in front of/at). For instance, 'interloqué par sa franchise' (dumbfounded by his frankness) or 'interloqué devant tant de bêtise' (dumbfounded at such stupidity). Note how 'devant' adds a spatial element, as if the person is literally standing in front of the surprising thing and can't move.

In complex sentences, interloqué can be used as an appositive adjective at the beginning of a clause to set the scene. 'Interloqué, l'homme ne sut quoi répondre.' (Taken aback, the man didn't know what to answer.) This structure is very common in French literature and formal reporting. It provides a quick snapshot of the subject's emotional state before describing their subsequent action (or lack thereof).

Interloquée par le prix, elle reposa l'article immédiatement sur l'étagère.

Agreement Table: Singular Masculine: interloqué | Singular Feminine: interloquée | Plural Masculine: interloqués | Plural Feminine: interloquées

Nous étions tous interloqués par cette décision administrative absurde.

When using it in conversation, you can intensify it with adverbs like 'totalement', 'complètement', or 'absolument'. 'Je suis absolument interloqué par ce que tu viens de dire.' This adds weight to your surprise. However, avoid using it for minor surprises like finding a coin on the street; save it for when the world temporarily stops making sense.

L'enfant resta interloqué devant le tour de magie qu'il ne comprenait pas.

Negative Usage: It is rarely used in the negative ('Je ne suis pas interloqué') because if you aren't surprised, there are better words like 'indifférent' or 'calme'. Using it negatively usually implies that you *should* have been surprised but weren't.

Même après cette annonce, elle n'avait pas l'air interloquée, comme si elle savait déjà.

If you are consuming French media, you will encounter interloqué in several specific environments. First and foremost is TV news and journalism. French journalists love precise adjectives to describe the reactions of public figures. If a minister is questioned about a scandal and doesn't know what to say, the headline might read: 'Le ministre, interloqué, quitte le plateau.' It provides a dramatic, visual element to reporting that 'surpris' simply lacks.

In Literature and Noir: French crime fiction (le polar) uses this word constantly. When a detective finds a body in a locked room or an impossible clue, they are described as interloqué. It captures that moment of intellectual friction where the detective's logic meets an illogical reality.

L'inspecteur resta interloqué par l'absence d'empreintes sur l'arme du crime.

In everyday conversation among educated adults, it is used to recount stories of bizarre encounters. You might hear a colleague say, 'J'étais interloqué quand il m'a demandé de travailler gratuitement!' It serves as a social marker, showing that the speaker is not just reacting emotionally, but is also analyzing the absurdity of the situation. It is more about the 'head' than the 'heart'.

You will also find it in movie scripts and theater. In a comedy of manners, a character might be interloqué by a sudden revelation about their family. It is a 'stage direction' word that tells an actor to freeze and look confused. If you watch French films with subtitles, look for this word when a character is stunned by a plot twist.

Dans cette scène, l'acteur doit paraître totalement interloqué par l'entrée de sa femme.

Documentaries and Essays: In academic or philosophical French, interloqué might describe a thinker's reaction to a paradox. It isn't just for people in a room; it can describe an intellectual state when facing a difficult problem.

Le philosophe se dit interloqué par la persistance de ces préjugés au 21ème siècle.

Finally, social media and blogs use it for 'clickbait' or dramatic storytelling. 'J'ai vu cette vidéo et je suis resté interloqué!' (I saw this video and I was stunned!). Even in digital spaces, it retains its sense of a 'deep' surprise that requires a moment of processing. It is a word that demands attention and signals that something truly unusual has happened.

Les clients du café étaient interloqués par le passage soudain d'une fanfare.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with interloqué is confusing it with 'interrupted' (interrompu). While they share a Latin root, they are not interchangeable. You can be interrompu during a speech by a noise, but you are interloqué by the content of what someone said. The first is a physical or temporal break; the second is a mental and emotional shock. If you say 'Je suis interloqué' when someone just walked into the room and stopped you from talking, it sounds like you are deeply shocked by their existence, which might be too dramatic!

Agreement Errors: Because interloqué ends in a vowel sound, many learners forget to add the 'e' or 's' in writing. Remember: 'Elle est interloquée' (add an 'e') and 'Ils sont interloqués' (add an 's'). Even though the pronunciation remains almost identical, the written form is vital for correctness.

Fausse note : 'Elle est resté interloqué.'
Correction : 'Elle est restée interloquée.'

Another mistake is using it for 'positive' excitement. If you win the lottery, you are 'ravi' or 'fou de joie'. If you say you are interloqué by winning the lottery, it implies you find the win suspicious, confusing, or that you can't believe the numbers were actually yours. It leans more toward 'speechless with confusion' than 'speechless with joy'.

Learners also sometimes confuse it with 'choqué' (shocked). While they are similar, 'choqué' often implies a moral judgment or offense. If someone says a swear word, you might be 'choqué'. If someone says they are actually a secret agent, you are interloqué. One is about your values being hit; the other is about your reality being questioned.

Ne dites pas : 'Je suis interloqué par ce crime affreux.' (Utilisez 'choqué' ou 'horrifié').

Misuse of Prepositions: Don't use 'à' or 'de' directly after interloqué to introduce the cause. Use 'par' or 'devant'. Incorrect: 'Interloqué de sa réaction.' Correct: 'Interloqué par sa réaction.'

Il semblait interloqué devant l'ampleur des dégâts.

Finally, avoid using it as a verb. There is no common verb 'interloquer' in modern usage (though it technically exists, it is rare). You should always use the adjective form with a state verb. Saying 'Il m'a interloqué' is possible but much less common than 'J'étais interloqué par ce qu'il a fait.'

Les élèves, interloqués, se regardèrent sans rien dire.

French has a rich vocabulary for surprise, and knowing when to use interloqué versus its synonyms will make you sound more like a native. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' of shock. Let's compare them to see where interloqué fits in the spectrum of astonishment.

Interloqué vs. Médusé: 'Médusé' is much stronger. It refers to the myth of Medusa—you are literally turned to stone by what you see. Use 'médusé' for life-altering shocks and interloqué for social or logical confusion.

Il était médusé par la beauté du paysage, mais interloqué par le prix du ticket d'entrée.

'Ébahi' is another alternative, often used for a more 'wide-eyed' or childish wonder. It doesn't have the same intellectual 'interruption' feel that interloqué has. If you see a beautiful firework display, you are 'ébahi'. If someone tells you the fireworks are actually made of cheese, you are interloqué.

'Déconcerté' is a close cousin. It means you have lost your 'concert' or your composure. While interloqué is about the moment of silence, 'déconcerté' is about the feeling of being unsettled or thrown off balance. You might be interloqué for a second, and then feel 'déconcerté' for the rest of the meeting.

Sa question m'a laissé déconcerté, mais j'étais surtout interloqué par son ton agressif.

Comparison Table

Surpris: Basic, neutral surprise.
Interloqué: Speechless, confused, taken aback.
Médusé: Petrified, extremely shocked.
Sidéré: Stunned, often with a sense of indignation.
Stupéfait: Very surprised, 'stupid' with shock.

Le public était stupéfait par la performance, mais interloqué par la fin abrupte.

When writing, choosing interloqué signals that the surprise was caused by something that didn't fit the expected pattern of communication. It is the perfect word for describing the reaction to a paradox, a weird request, or a bizarre piece of news. It adds a layer of 'What on earth?' to your French that 'étonné' simply doesn't reach.

Elle resta pantoise (ou interloquée) devant cette proposition indécente.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

Although the root 'loqui' (to speak) is the same as in 'eloquent', 'interloqué' describes the moment when you are the exact opposite of eloquent—speechless!

발음 가이드

UK /ɛ̃.tɛʁ.lɔ.ke/

US /æ̃.tɛɹ.loʊ.keɪ/

In French, stress is usually on the final syllable: in-ter-lo-QUÉ.

라임이 맞는 단어

étonné fatigué marché été donné regardé passé chanté

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the 'u' in 'qu' (it should be silent).
Using an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Not making the nasal 'in' sound correctly.
Pronouncing the final 'é' like an 'e' in 'pet'.
Adding a 'd' sound at the end like the English 'interlocked'.

난이도

독해 3/5

Common in literature and news; easy to recognize once learned.

쓰기 4/5

Requires correct agreement and preposition usage (par/devant).

말하기 4/5

The nasal 'in' and guttural 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

듣기 3/5

Distinctive 'k' sound at the end makes it recognizable.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

surpris étonné rester par devant

다음에 배울 것

sidéré médusé déconcerté stupéfait ébahi

고급

décontenancé pantois abasourdi estomaqué

알아야 할 문법

Adjective Agreement

Elle est interloquée (f.s.) vs Ils sont interloqués (m.p.)

State Verbs

Rester, paraître, sembler, être are used with interloqué.

Preposition 'Par'

Used to show the cause: Interloqué par sa voix.

Preposition 'Devant'

Used for physical or situational presence: Interloqué devant le monument.

Apposition

Interloqué, il ne dit rien. (The adjective describes the subject's state at the start of the action).

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

Il est interloqué par la question.

He is dumbfounded by the question.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Elle est interloquée.

She is taken aback.

Note the 'e' for feminine agreement.

Je suis interloqué.

I am dumbfounded.

First person singular.

Tu es interloqué ?

Are you taken aback?

Question form.

Le chat est interloqué.

The cat is dumbfounded.

Using a noun as subject.

Ils sont interloqués.

They are dumbfounded.

Plural masculine agreement.

Nous sommes interloqués.

We are taken aback.

First person plural.

Marie est interloquée par le cadeau.

Marie is dumbfounded by the gift.

Feminine singular agreement.

Je suis resté interloqué devant lui.

I remained dumbfounded in front of him.

Using the verb 'rester' for state.

Elle semble interloquée par ton idée.

She seems taken aback by your idea.

Using the verb 'sembler'.

Les enfants étaient interloqués par le clown.

The children were dumbfounded by the clown.

Plural agreement.

Il a l'air interloqué ce matin.

He looks taken aback this morning.

Using the expression 'avoir l'air'.

Pourquoi es-tu si interloqué ?

Why are you so dumbfounded?

Using 'si' for emphasis.

Nous étions interloqués par le bruit.

We were taken aback by the noise.

Imperfect tense for description.

Elle est restée interloquée tout le dîner.

She remained dumbfounded throughout dinner.

Agreement with 'elle'.

Le professeur était interloqué par l'erreur.

The teacher was dumbfounded by the mistake.

Standard subject-verb-adjective.

Interloqué par sa franchise, je n'ai pas su quoi répondre.

Taken aback by her frankness, I didn't know what to say.

Appositive adjective at the start.

Tout le monde est resté interloqué quand il est parti.

Everyone was left dumbfounded when he left.

Collective subject 'tout le monde' is masculine singular.

Elle paraissait interloquée par l'absurdité de la situation.

She appeared dumbfounded by the absurdity of the situation.

Using 'paraître' and 'absurdité'.

Je suis totalement interloqué par cette nouvelle réglementation.

I am totally dumbfounded by this new regulation.

Using the adverb 'totalement'.

Il nous a regardés d'un air interloqué.

He looked at us with a dumbfounded look.

Adverbial phrase 'd'un air...'.

Les touristes étaient interloqués devant le prix du café.

The tourists were taken aback at the price of the coffee.

Preposition 'devant'.

Elle est restée interloquée, la bouche bée.

She remained dumbfounded, mouth agape.

Adding 'la bouche bée' for emphasis.

Son silence m'a laissé interloqué.

His silence left me dumbfounded.

Verb 'laisser' + object + adjective.

Le public, interloqué par la fin du film, est resté dans le noir.

The audience, taken aback by the end of the movie, stayed in the dark.

Parenthetical adjective.

Il se sentait interloqué par le manque de réaction de ses collègues.

He felt taken aback by his colleagues' lack of reaction.

Reflexive verb 'se sentir'.

Interloquées, les deux sœurs se sont regardées sans un mot.

Taken aback, the two sisters looked at each other without a word.

Feminine plural agreement.

Rien ne semblait pouvoir le laisser interloqué, sauf ce détail.

Nothing seemed to be able to leave him dumbfounded, except this detail.

Complex negation and infinitive.

Elle a posé une question qui a laissé toute l'assemblée interloquée.

She asked a question that left the entire assembly dumbfounded.

Agreement with 'l'assemblée' (feminine).

Je suis singulièrement interloqué par votre comportement récent.

I am singularly taken aback by your recent behavior.

Advanced adverb 'singulièrement'.

L'avocat resta interloqué face à ce nouveau témoignage.

The lawyer remained dumbfounded in the face of this new testimony.

Preposition 'face à'.

Ils paraissaient plus interloqués qu'en colère.

They appeared more taken aback than angry.

Comparison structure.

L'annonce brutale de la fusion a laissé les employés interloqués et inquiets.

The brutal announcement of the merger left the employees dumbfounded and worried.

Double adjective agreement.

Interloqué par ce paradoxe, le chercheur a dû revoir sa théorie.

Taken aback by this paradox, the researcher had to revise his theory.

Causal relationship implied by the appositive.

On ne peut qu'être interloqué par la légèreté de ces propos.

One can only be taken aback by the flippancy of these remarks.

Formulation 'on ne peut qu'être'.

Sa réaction, bien que prévisible, m'a néanmoins laissé interloqué.

His reaction, although predictable, nevertheless left me dumbfounded.

Concessive clause 'bien que'.

Les critiques étaient interloqués par l'audace stylistique de l'auteur.

The critics were taken aback by the author's stylistic audacity.

Noun phrase 'audace stylistique'.

Elle demeura interloquée, incapable de formuler la moindre objection.

She remained dumbfounded, unable to formulate the slightest objection.

Using 'demeurer' as a state verb.

Le magistrat, visiblement interloqué, demanda une suspension d'audience.

The magistrate, visibly taken aback, requested a suspension of the hearing.

Adverb 'visiblement' modifying the state.

Nous fûmes interloqués par la soudaineté de son revirement.

We were taken aback by the suddenness of his reversal.

Passé simple for literary effect.

L'exégète parut interloqué par cette interprétation iconoclaste du texte.

The commentator appeared dumbfounded by this iconoclastic interpretation of the text.

High-level vocabulary (exégète, iconoclaste).

Il y a de quoi rester interloqué devant une telle absence de scrupules.

There is cause to remain dumbfounded in the face of such a lack of scruples.

Idiomatic 'il y a de quoi'.

L'opinion publique, interloquée, peine à saisir les enjeux de cette réforme.

The public, taken aback, is struggling to grasp the stakes of this reform.

Complex subject and figurative meaning.

L'artiste se plut à laisser son auditoire interloqué par des performances cryptiques.

The artist took pleasure in leaving his audience dumbfounded by cryptic performances.

Reflexive 'se plaire à'.

Nul ne saurait rester interloqué devant une évidence si flagrante.

No one could remain dumbfounded before such blatant evidence.

Formal 'nul ne saurait'.

Elle fut d'autant plus interloquée que personne ne l'avait prévenue.

She was all the more taken aback because no one had warned her.

Comparative 'd'autant plus... que'.

Le silence qui suivit sa tirade laissa le protagoniste interloqué.

The silence that followed his tirade left the protagonist dumbfounded.

Narrative structure.

Force est de constater que le spectateur demeure interloqué par cette mise en scène.

It must be noted that the spectator remains dumbfounded by this staging.

Fixed expression 'Force est de constater'.

자주 쓰는 조합

rester interloqué

avoir l'air interloqué

laisser interloqué

paraître interloqué

interloqué par

interloqué devant

totalement interloqué

un air interloqué

visiblement interloqué

demeurer interloqué

자주 쓰는 구문

Je suis interloqué !

— I am speechless / I am taken aback!

Quoi ? Tu pars déjà ? Je suis interloqué !

Il en est resté interloqué.

— He was left dumbfounded by it.

Elle lui a dit la vérité, et il en est resté interloqué.

D'un air interloqué

— With a dumbfounded look.

Il a ouvert la lettre d'un air interloqué.

Rester bouche bée et interloqué

— To stay mouth agape and dumbfounded.

Devant ce tour, je suis resté bouche bée et interloqué.

Être tout interloqué

— To be completely taken aback.

Elle était toute interloquée par ce compliment soudain.

Laisser tout le monde interloqué

— To leave everyone speechless.

Sa démission a laissé tout le monde interloqué.

Un silence interloqué

— A stunned silence.

Un silence interloqué envahit la pièce.

Sembler fort interloqué

— To seem very taken aback.

Le patron semblait fort interloqué par la demande.

Se dire interloqué par

— To claim to be dumbfounded by.

Le maire se dit interloqué par les critiques.

Regard interloqué

— A dumbfounded stare.

Elle lui lança un regard interloqué.

자주 혼동되는 단어

interloqué vs interrompu

Means 'interrupted' physically or in speech. Interloqué is the mental state of surprise.

interloqué vs interloqué (false friend)

It is not related to 'interlocked' (connected pieces).

interloqué vs choqué

Choqué implies offense or moral outrage; interloqué implies confusion or surprise.

관용어 및 표현

"Rester comme deux ronds de frites"

— To be stunned or flabbergasted (informal/Belgian). Similar to being interloqué.

Quand il a vu le prix, il est resté comme deux ronds de frites.

informal

"Tomber des nues"

— To be extremely surprised, as if falling from the clouds.

Quand elle a appris la nouvelle, elle est tombée des nues.

standard

"En rester de deux doigts"

— To be almost speechless (rare/literary).

Il en est resté de deux doigts, tant il était interloqué.

literary

"Couper le sifflet à quelqu'un"

— To shut someone up or leave them speechless.

Sa réponse lui a coupé le sifflet, il était interloqué.

informal

"Être cloué au sol"

— To be nailed to the ground (with shock).

Il était cloué au sol, interloqué par ce qu'il voyait.

standard

"Perdre son latin"

— To be totally confused and unable to understand.

Je perds mon latin devant ce problème, je suis interloqué.

standard

"Rester de marbre"

— To remain like marble (unmoved), the opposite of being interloqué.

Malgré l'insulte, il est resté de marbre.

standard

"Avoir le souffle coupé"

— To have one's breath taken away.

Elle avait le souffle coupé, interloquée par la vue.

standard

"En rester baba"

— To be flabbergasted.

Je suis resté baba devant son talent.

informal

"Être scotché"

— To be 'glued' or stunned (modern slang).

J'étais scotché par son niveau de jeu.

slang

혼동하기 쉬운

interloqué vs interrompu

Similar prefix and root.

Interrompu is an action (stopped); interloqué is an emotion (dumbfounded).

La radio est interrompue, mais je suis interloqué par le silence.

interloqué vs étonné

Both mean surprised.

Étonné is general; interloqué is specifically 'taken aback' and speechless.

Je suis étonné qu'il pleuve, mais interloqué qu'il pleuve à l'intérieur !

interloqué vs médusé

Both mean very surprised.

Médusé is much stronger, almost like being paralyzed by terror or awe.

Médusé par l'accident, interloqué par l'excuse du chauffeur.

interloqué vs abasourdi

Both mean stunned.

Abasourdi often relates to a physical shock or a 'deafening' piece of news.

Abasourdi par le bruit, interloqué par la question.

interloqué vs sidéré

Very close in meaning.

Sidéré often implies a sense of 'I can't believe they did that' (indignation).

Je suis sidéré par sa malhonnêteté, et interloqué par son calme.

문장 패턴

Sujet + être + interloqué.

Je suis interloqué.

Sujet + rester + interloqué.

Il est resté interloqué.

Interloqué par + Nom, Sujet + Verbe.

Interloqué par le prix, il est parti.

Sujet + paraître + interloqué + devant + Nom.

Elle paraît interloquée devant ce choix.

Sujet + avoir l'air + tout + interloqué.

Ils ont l'air tout interloqués.

Sujet + laisser + Objet + interloqué.

Cela m'a laissé interloqué.

Sujet + demeurer + interloqué + face à + Nom.

Le public demeura interloqué face à l'absurde.

Nul ne saurait rester interloqué devant + Nom.

Nul ne saurait rester interloqué devant une telle beauté.

어휘 가족

명사

interlocuteur (m) / interlocutrice (f) - a person one is speaking with

interlocution (f) - the act of dialogue

동사

interloquer - to dumbfound or interrupt (rare in active use)

형용사

interloqué - dumbfounded

사용법

frequency

Common in written French and formal speech; moderately common in daily conversation.

자주 하는 실수

Using 'interloqué' for 'interrupted'. → Using 'interrompu' for a break in action.
Interloqué is a feeling; interrompu is a state of being stopped. You aren't 'interloqué' by a phone call unless the call is very weird.
Saying 'Je suis interloqué à ton idée'. → Je suis interloqué par ton idée.
The correct preposition is 'par' for the cause of the surprise.
Forgetting feminine agreement: 'Elle est interloqué'. → Elle est interloquée.
Adjectives must match the gender of the subject.
Using it for positive joy: 'Je suis interloqué d'avoir gagné !' → Je suis ravi d'avoir gagné !
Interloqué usually implies confusion or disbelief, not pure happiness.
Pronouncing the 'u' in 'qu'. → Pronouncing it as /ke/.
In 'qu' before 'é', the 'u' is almost always silent in French.

팁

Agreement is Key

Don't forget to add the 'e' or 's' in writing. Even if you don't hear it, French readers will notice the mistake immediately. It's a hallmark of B1+ writing.

Upgrade from Surpris

Whenever you want to say someone was 'taken aback', use 'interloqué'. It adds a level of sophistication to your French that 'surpris' lacks.

The Nasal Start

Spend time on the 'in' /ɛ̃/. It's the same sound as in 'vin' or 'pain'. If you get this right, the whole word sounds much more native.

Social Nuance

Use it when something is weird or illogical. If a friend tells you they're eating a shoe, you are interloqué. If they tell you they got a promotion, you are surpris/content.

Verbs of State

Always pair it with verbs like être, rester, or paraître. It functions as a description of a person's state at a specific moment.

Listen for the 'K'

In fast speech, the 'inter' might be quick, but the 'lo-qué' is usually stressed. Focus on that 'k' sound at the end to identify the word.

Appositive Style

Try starting a sentence with it: 'Interloquée, elle s'assit.' This is a very elegant French sentence structure.

Theatricality

Think of it as a stage direction. If you were an actor told to be interloqué, you would freeze and look confused. Use it to describe that 'frozen' moment.

Inter-Logic

Mnemonic: Your logic is 'inter-rupted'. It's a logical shock that leaves you speechless.

Not Choqué

Remember that 'interloqué' is about surprise/confusion, while 'choqué' is often about being offended. Don't mix them up in social situations!

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'INTERrupted' + 'LOQUacious' (talkative). If you are 'inter-loqué', your 'loquaciousness' has been 'interrupted' by surprise!

시각적 연상

Imagine a person trying to speak, but a giant question mark appears in their mouth, blocking the words. They are 'interloqués'.

Word Web

Surprise Silence Confusion Speechless Reaction Logic State Interruption

챌린지

Try to describe a time you were 'interloqué' using at least three different state verbs: 'être', 'rester', and 'paraître'.

어원

Derived from the Latin 'interloqui', which means 'to speak between' or 'to interrupt a conversation'. It entered French in the late 14th century.

원래 의미: Originally, it meant to interrupt someone's speech. Over time, it shifted to describe the *state* of the person who has been 'interrupted' mentally by a shocking event.

Romance (Latin root)

문화적 맥락

It is a neutral to formal word and is not offensive. It can be used to describe anyone's reaction.

The closest English equivalents are 'taken aback' or 'dumbfounded'. 'Interlocked' is a false friend; it does NOT mean connected.

Commonly used in 'Les Aventures de Tintin' to describe reactions to Captain Haddock's outbursts. Frequent in the works of Marcel Proust to describe social awkwardness. Used in French news headlines (e.g., Le Monde) when politicians are caught off guard.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Social Gatherings

Interloqué par une remarque
Un air interloqué
Rester interloqué devant l'audace
Laisser les invités interloqués

Professional Settings

Interloqué par les chiffres
Le directeur est resté interloqué
Un silence interloqué en réunion
Être interloqué par une décision

News/Journalism

Le public est interloqué
Interloqué par le scandale
Les experts restent interloqués
Une réaction interloquée

Literature/Storytelling

Le héros, interloqué...
Elle resta interloquée la bouche bée
Un regard interloqué
Demeurer interloqué face au destin

Daily Life

Je suis interloqué par le prix
Interloqué par la météo
Regarder quelqu'un d'un air interloqué
Être tout interloqué

대화 시작하기

"As-tu déjà été interloqué par une nouvelle à la télévision ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te laisse le plus interloqué dans la vie de tous les jours ?"

"Raconte-moi une fois où tu es resté interloqué devant un comportement bizarre."

"Est-ce que les prix à Paris te laissent interloqué ?"

"Pourquoi penses-tu que ce politicien avait l'air si interloqué hier ?"

일기 주제

Décris une situation où tu as été totalement interloqué par un ami.

Écris un court récit commençant par : 'Interloqué par ce qu'il venait de voir, Jean s'arrêta net.'

Penses-tu qu'il est poli de montrer que l'on est interloqué ?

Quelle est la différence pour toi entre être surpris et être interloqué ?

Imagine la réaction d'une personne du passé interloquée par notre technologie moderne.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It is possible, but rare. Usually, 'interloqué' implies a sense of confusion or that the surprise doesn't make sense. For positive things, 'ravi' or 'enchanté' is better.

Yes, 'interloquer', but it is rarely used. You might hear 'Cela m'interloque' (That dumbfounds me), but 'Je suis interloqué' is much more common.

It is 'interloquées'. You add both an 'e' for feminine and an 's' for plural.

No, it only describes sentient beings (humans or sometimes animals) because it refers to a mental state.

It is standard to formal. You can use it with friends, but it sounds more educated than just saying 'surpris'.

No, 'interlocked' in English means connected or joined. 'Interloqué' means dumbfounded. They are false friends.

The 'qu' is pronounced like a 'k'. The 'u' is silent. /ke/

Use 'par' (by) or 'devant' (in front of/at). 'Interloqué par sa réponse' or 'Interloqué devant ce spectacle'.

Yes, but 'totalement' or 'complètement' sounds more natural because the word itself is already quite strong.

Yes, it is a very popular word in French journalism to describe the reactions of politicians or the public.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기