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B1 noun 9 min read

l'ennui

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips l'ennui in 30 Seconds

Explanation l'ennui in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of l'ennui: boredom. While you might not use the noun itself very often, you will definitely use the related verb s'ennuyer (to be bored). Imagine you are at home on a Sunday and there is nothing on TV. You might say 'Je m'ennuie.' The noun l'ennui appears in simple expressions like 'Quel ennui !' which means 'How boring!' or 'What a bore!' It is important to remember that it is a masculine word, so we use 'l'' before it. You don't need to worry about the complex literary meanings yet. Just think of it as the opposite of 'l'amusement' (fun) or 'le plaisir' (pleasure). In simple sentences, it often follows verbs like 'aimer' or 'détester.' For example: 'Je déteste l'ennui.' (I hate boredom.) This is a great word to help you express your feelings about school, work, or long waits. Remember to pronounce the 'n' sound clearly and the 'ui' sound like a quick 'wee' sound in English, but with a French 'u' shape in your mouth.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use l'ennui in slightly more complex structures. You should be able to distinguish between the noun and the verb. For instance, instead of just saying 'Je m'ennuie,' you might say 'L'ennui est difficile pour moi.' You will also start to see the word in the plural form: les ennuis. At this level, you should learn that les ennuis usually means 'problems' or 'troubles.' If a friend says 'J'ai des ennuis avec ma voiture,' they mean they have car trouble. This is a very common way to use the word in daily life. You can also start using adjectives to describe boredom, such as 'un petit ennui' or 'un grand ennui.' You might hear it in the context of travel or waiting, like 'L'ennui du voyage' (the boredom of the trip). Practice using the exclamation 'Quel ennui !' when things are slow or uninteresting. It's a natural way to react to situations. Also, keep an eye out for the word in simple stories or articles where characters are looking for something to do.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the nuance of l'ennui as both a feeling and a complication. You should be comfortable using it in sentences like 'Il a quitté son travail par ennui' (He left his job out of boredom) or 'C'est là le principal ennui' (That is the main problem). You will encounter the word more frequently in literature and news reports. At this stage, you should learn common collocations like 'tromper l'ennui' (to pass the time/fight boredom) and 'sombrer dans l'ennui' (to sink into boredom). You should also be aware of the difference between 'ennuyeux' (boring) and 'ennuyé' (bored). A B1 learner should be able to discuss the concept of boredom in a conversation, perhaps talking about how children today have less 'ennui' because of smartphones. You can also use the plural 'ennuis' to talk about more serious issues, like 'des ennuis de santé' (health problems) or 'des ennuis financiers' (financial troubles). This word becomes a versatile tool for describing both your inner state and your external difficulties.

At the B2 level, you should explore the more abstract and philosophical sides of l'ennui. You will find it used in essays and more sophisticated literature to describe social conditions or existential states. You should understand the concept of 'l'ennui existentiel'—a deep sense of purposelessness. In your writing, you can use l'ennui to analyze characters in a book or to discuss the pros and cons of a slow-paced lifestyle. You should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like 'la lassitude' or 'le désœuvrement.' At this level, you can use the word in complex sentence structures: 'Malgré la richesse de sa vie sociale, un sentiment d'ennui profond ne le quittait jamais.' You should also be very comfortable with the plural 'ennuis' in various contexts, including legal or administrative ones ('avoir des ennuis judiciaires'). You might also encounter the verb 'ennuyer' in its sense of 'to bother' or 'to worry' (e.g., 'Cela m'ennuie de te laisser seul'), and you should be able to distinguish this from the noun's meaning. Your vocabulary should now include idiomatic expressions involving boredom and trouble.

At the C1 level, you should have a near-native understanding of l'ennui. This includes its historical and literary significance, particularly in the works of 19th-century writers like Flaubert or Baudelaire. You should be able to discuss 'le Spleen' and how it relates to l'ennui. In your own discourse, you can use the word with great precision, choosing it over synonyms to convey a specific type of mental state. You should understand the subtle irony when the word is used in high-society contexts. Furthermore, you should be familiar with the most formal and technical uses of the word, such as in psychological or sociological texts. Your ability to use 'les ennuis' should extend to professional and formal registers, where it might replace 'problèmes' to sound more sophisticated or slightly more euphemistic. You should also be able to recognize and use the word in various registers, from the very formal 'éprouver un profond ennui' to the more colloquial 'c'est l'ennui total.' You are now analyzing the word as a cultural concept, not just a vocabulary item.

At the C2 level, l'ennui is a word you can manipulate with full mastery of its connotations. You understand its role as a fundamental theme in French intellectual history. You can use it to discuss the 'ennui' of a civilization or the 'ennui' of the elite. You are sensitive to the rhythmic and stylistic placement of the word in a sentence. You can effortlessly switch between the singular 'ennui' (metaphysical or emotional) and the plural 'ennuis' (circumstantial or problematic). You might use it in a self-reflective way in high-level creative writing or academic critiques. You understand the etymological depth of the word (from 'inodiare') and how that history still colors its modern usage. At this level, you also recognize the word in rare or archaic expressions found in classical French theater or philosophy. You can discuss the paradox of l'ennui—how it is both a void and a catalyst for the human spirit. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, capturing every shade of meaning from a simple sigh of boredom to a profound critique of existence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

l'ennui in 30 Seconds

L'ennui refers to the state of boredom or a lack of interest in a situation.
The plural form, 'les ennuis,' commonly means 'troubles' or 'problems' in daily life.
It is a masculine noun that starts with a vowel, requiring the article 'l''.
In French culture, it can have deep existential or literary connotations beyond simple boredom.

The French word l'ennui is a fascinating linguistic artifact that carries significantly more weight than its simple English translation, 'boredom.' While at its most basic level it describes the state of having nothing to do or finding a situation uninteresting, in French culture and literature, l'ennui often touches upon a deeper, more existential state of being. It is the feeling of a profound lack of purpose or the heavy weight of time passing without meaning. In everyday conversation, however, it is frequently used to express a simple lack of stimulation or a minor annoyance. Interestingly, the word also has a secondary, very common meaning in its plural form—les ennuis—which refers to 'troubles,' 'problems,' or 'hassles.' Understanding the duality between 'boredom' (singular) and 'troubles' (plural) is key to mastering the word's usage.

Existential Boredom: This refers to the 'Spleen' or the deep melancholy often described by French poets like Charles Baudelaire. It is a state where the world seems grey and devoid of interest.
Daily Monotony: The most common usage, describing a long meeting, a rainy afternoon with no activities, or a repetitive job that fails to engage the mind.
Situational Troubles: In phrases like 'C'est là que l'ennui commence,' the word suggests a complication or a problem rather than just being bored.

Depuis qu'il a perdu son travail, il sombre peu à peu dans l'ennui le plus total.

Quel ennui de devoir attendre le bus sous la pluie pendant une heure !

Historically, the word derives from the Latin 'inodiare,' meaning 'to make loathsome' or 'to hate.' This explains why the word carries a stronger emotional punch in French than 'boredom' does in English. It isn't just a lack of fun; it is an active aversion to the emptiness of the current moment. When a French person says 'Je meurs d'ennui,' they are literally saying 'I am dying of boredom,' a hyperbole used to emphasize how excruciatingly dull a situation has become. Culturally, the French have a complex relationship with boredom; it is often seen as a catalyst for creativity or a necessary state for reflection, though in modern, fast-paced life, it is mostly viewed as something to be avoided through constant digital distraction.

Elle essayait de tromper l'ennui en lisant des vieux magazines dans la salle d'attente.

The Plural Meaning: When you hear 'J'ai des ennuis,' it means 'I have problems' (legal, financial, or personal), not that the person is bored multiple times.

L'argent est souvent la cause de bien des ennuis dans une famille.

In summary, l'ennui is a spectrum ranging from a mild 'yawn' to a deep 'existential crisis.' It is a word that appears in high literature and low-brow complaints alike. Whether you are describing the monotony of a Sunday afternoon or the troubles you are having with your car, this word is an essential part of the French emotional and practical vocabulary.

Using l'ennui correctly requires a grasp of its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common collocations. Because it starts with a vowel, it always takes the elided article l' in the singular. To describe the feeling of boredom, you often pair it with verbs like ressentir (to feel), éprouver (to experience), or combattre (to fight). If you want to say something is boring, you use the exclamation 'Quel ennui !' (What a bore! / How boring!).

Expressing Intense Boredom: Use 'mourir d'ennui' (to die of boredom) or 'un ennui mortel' (a deadly boredom) to emphasize the severity of the feeling.
As a Subject: 'L'ennui s'est installé dans leur couple.' (Boredom took root in their relationship.) Here, boredom is treated as an active force.

Pour tromper l'ennui, les enfants ont commencé à inventer un nouveau jeu.

When switching to the plural les ennuis, the meaning shifts to 'troubles.' You will often hear 'avoir des ennuis avec la justice' (to have trouble with the law) or 's'attirer des ennuis' (to get oneself into trouble). It is important to distinguish this from the verb ennuyer (to bore/to annoy). For example, 'Tu m'ennuies' can mean 'You are boring me' or 'You are annoying me,' depending on the context and tone. However, the noun l'ennui usually maintains its primary sense of boredom unless it is pluralized.

Le principal ennui de ce projet, c'est le manque de financement.

Common Adjectives: L'ennui profond (deep), l'ennui pesant (heavy), l'ennui quotidien (everyday).

In academic or formal writing, l'ennui is often used to discuss social phenomena, such as the boredom of the youth in rural areas or the boredom inherent in bureaucratic systems. In these contexts, it is often linked to sociological terms like 'aliénation' or 'désœuvrement.' Mastering the use of this noun allows you to express a wide range of dissatisfaction with precision.

Il n'y a rien de pire que l'ennui un dimanche après-midi quand tout est fermé.

You will encounter l'ennui in a variety of settings, from the classroom to the cinema, and from classical literature to modern pop songs. In a school setting, students often whisper 'Quel ennui !' during a lecture that fails to capture their interest. On the news, journalists might discuss 'l'ennui des jeunes' in certain neighborhoods as a reason for social unrest. In French cinema, particularly in the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) films of the 1960s, l'ennui is a central theme, representing the listlessness of modern urban life.

Dans les films de Godard, l'ennui est souvent un personnage à part entière.

In music, many French 'chanson française' artists explore the concept of boredom. Whether it's the melancholy of a rainy day in Paris or the repetitive nature of a heartless job, l'ennui provides a rich lyrical ground. In literature, as mentioned, it is a pillar of 19th-century French poetry. Baudelaire’s 'Les Fleurs du Mal' is essentially a struggle against 'l'Ennui,' which he personifies as a monster that would gladly swallow the world in a yawn.

L'écrivain décrit avec précision l'ennui provincial de ses personnages.

In a professional context, you might hear colleagues discussing the 'ennui' of administrative tasks. However, be careful: if a boss says 'Nous allons avoir des ennuis,' they are not saying you will be bored; they are warning that the company is in trouble. This shift from the abstract feeling to the concrete problem is very common in workplace French. On social media, you might see the hashtag #ennui used by people posting photos of themselves doing nothing on a quiet day, often with a touch of irony.

Il a quitté son poste à cause de l'ennui qu'il ressentait au quotidien.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing l'ennui with the English word 'annoyance.' While they share a common root, l'ennui primarily means boredom. If you are annoyed by someone, you wouldn't typically use the noun l'ennui; instead, you would use the verb énerver or agacer. However, the verb ennuyer can mean both 'to bore' and 'to annoy,' which adds to the confusion. Stick to 'boredom' for the noun l'ennui to stay safe.

Gender Errors: Many learners think 'ennui' is feminine because it ends in 'i' or 'ui' (like 'la nuit'). Remember: it is 'un ennui' (masculine).
Singular vs Plural: Using 'un ennui' when you mean 'a problem.' While possible, it's more common to use 'un problème' or 'un souci.' 'Les ennuis' (plural) is the standard way to refer to 'troubles.'

Faux pas: La grande ennui. Correct: Le grand ennui.

Another mistake is using l'ennui for 'boring person.' In English, you can say 'He is a bore.' In French, you wouldn't say 'Il est un ennui.' You would say 'Il est ennuyeux' (He is boring) or 'C'est une barbe' (slang for a bore). The noun l'ennui refers to the state or the abstract concept, not usually a person. Also, be careful with the preposition after the verb form: 's'ennuyer de quelqu'un' means to miss someone (old-fashioned/literary), whereas 's'ennuyer avec quelqu'un' means to be bored with them.

Attention: Ne dites pas 'J'ai l'ennui' pour dire 'I am bored.' Dites 'Je m'ennuie'.

French offers many shades of boredom, and l'ennui is just the starting point. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different word to be more precise. For instance, la lassitude suggests a boredom born of exhaustion or having done something too many times. Le désœuvrement specifically refers to the state of having nothing to do, often implying a lack of occupation rather than just a lack of interest.

L'ennui vs La Lassitude: L'ennui is the general feeling of being bored. La lassitude is more like 'weariness' or 'being fed up' with a repetitive situation.
L'ennui vs Le Désœuvrement: Le désœuvrement is specifically the 'idleness' of someone who has no tasks or hobbies to fill their time.
L'ennui vs La Monotonie: La monotonie refers to the lack of variety in a situation which then causes l'ennui.

La monotonie de son travail quotidien finissait par lui peser.

In informal French, you have several colorful alternatives. 'La barbe' (literally 'the beard') is a common way to say 'What a bore!' or 'How annoying!' You might also hear 'C'est chiant' (vulgar) to express that something is extremely boring or annoying. If you want to describe a person who is a bore, you can call them 'un raseur' or 'une plaie' (literally 'a wound/pest'). Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker who can distinguish between a boring lecture and the existential dread of a void in one's life.

Quel rasoir, ce professeur ! On s'endort dans ses cours.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The English word 'annoy' and the French word 'ennui' share the same Latin ancestor, but 'ennui' evolved to mean boredom while 'annoy' kept the sense of irritation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /lɑ̃.nɥi/

US /lɑ̃.nwi/

The stress is slightly on the final syllable 'nui'.

Rhymes With

appui autrui celui aujourd'hui bruit fruit nuit puit

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'en' as an English 'en' instead of a nasal 'ah'.
Pronouncing 'ui' as two separate syllables.
Treating the 'l'' as a separate word with a pause.
Confusing the 'u' in 'nui' with an English 'oo' sound.
Forgetting that the final 'i' is short and sharp.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but meaning can shift based on context.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender and plural usage.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the 'ui' sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear sound, but must distinguish from the verb 'ennuyer'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

triste mauvais problème temps seul

Learn Next

lassitude désœuvrement monotonie agacement souci

Advanced

existentialisme vacuité spleen mélancolie apathie

Grammar to Know

Elision with 'l''

Le + ennui = l'ennui.

Plural meaning shift

L'ennui (boredom) vs. Les ennuis (troubles).

Gender of nouns ending in -ui

Most are masculine: l'ennui, l'appui, le bruit.

Reflexive verb 's'ennuyer'

Je m'ennuie (I am bored).

Preposition 'de' after 'mourir'

Mourir d'ennui (to die of boredom).

Examples by Level

Le dimanche, j'ai souvent de l'ennui.

On Sundays, I often have boredom.

Uses 'de l'ennui' with the partitive article.

Quel ennui, ce film !

What a bore, this movie!

Exclamative 'Quel' matches the masculine noun 'ennui'.

Je déteste l'ennui à l'école.

I hate boredom at school.

Definite article 'l'' used after a verb of preference.

Il n'y a pas d'ennui ici.

There is no boredom here.

Negative 'pas de' becomes 'pas d'' before a vowel.

L'ennui est mauvais pour les enfants.

Boredom is bad for children.

Noun used as a general subject.

C'est un grand ennui de rester seul.

It is a great boredom to stay alone.

Adjective 'grand' precedes the noun.

Elle cherche un livre contre l'ennui.

She is looking for a book against boredom.

Preposition 'contre' followed by the definite article.

L'ennui arrive vite quand on attend.

Boredom arrives quickly when one waits.

Simple present tense with an adverb.

J'ai des ennuis avec mon ordinateur.

I have troubles with my computer.

Plural 'ennuis' means problems.

Il veut éviter l'ennui pendant les vacances.

He wants to avoid boredom during the holidays.

Infinitive 'éviter' followed by the noun.

L'ennui de la pluie nous empêche de sortir.

The boredom of the rain prevents us from going out.

Possessive 'de la' structure.

Tu as l'air de mourir d'ennui.

You look like you're dying of boredom.

Idiomatic expression 'mourir d'ennui'.

C'est un ennui passager, ne t'inquiète pas.

It's a passing boredom, don't worry.

Adjective 'passager' follows the noun.

L'ennui est parfois utile pour réfléchir.

Boredom is sometimes useful for reflecting.

Adverb 'parfois' modifies the verb.

Nous avons eu quelques ennuis mécaniques.

We had some mechanical troubles.

Plural 'ennuis' with the adjective 'mécaniques'.

Le silence de la campagne apporte l'ennui.

The silence of the countryside brings boredom.

Verb 'apporte' (brings) used with the noun.

Pour tromper l'ennui, il s'est mis à la peinture.

To ward off boredom, he took up painting.

Collocation 'tromper l'ennui'.

L'ennui profond peut mener à la tristesse.

Deep boredom can lead to sadness.

Adjective 'profond' emphasizes the noun.

Elle a quitté la ville pour fuir l'ennui.

She left the city to flee boredom.

Verb 'fuir' (to flee) expresses strong action.

Les ennuis commencent dès qu'il ouvre la bouche.

The troubles start as soon as he opens his mouth.

Plural 'ennuis' as a subject.

Il y a un certain ennui dans ce travail répétitif.

There is a certain boredom in this repetitive work.

'Un certain' adds nuance to the noun.

L'ennui est le pire ennemi de la créativité.

Boredom is the worst enemy of creativity.

Superlative 'le pire' used in a metaphor.

Je ne supporte plus l'ennui de ces réunions.

I can no longer stand the boredom of these meetings.

Negative 'ne... plus' (no longer).

Il s'est attiré des ennuis en mentant.

He got himself into trouble by lying.

Reflexive verb 's'attirer' with 'des ennuis'.

L'ennui s'était installé durablement dans leur foyer.

Boredom had settled permanently in their home.

Plus-que-parfait tense with 's'installer'.

La monotonie des jours engendrait un ennui mortel.

The monotony of the days was breeding a deadly boredom.

Verb 'engendrer' (to breed/generate).

Il luttait contre l'ennui par une lecture constante.

He fought against boredom through constant reading.

Prepositional phrase 'par une lecture constante'.

Le principal ennui de cette loi est son ambiguïté.

The main problem with this law is its ambiguity.

Singular 'ennui' used here to mean 'problem' or 'drawback'.

L'ennui peut être une source d'inspiration inattendue.

Boredom can be an unexpected source of inspiration.

Noun used as a potential positive force.

Elle ressentait un ennui que rien ne pouvait combler.

She felt a boredom that nothing could fill.

Relative clause 'que rien ne pouvait combler'.

Les ennuis financiers ont gâché leurs vacances.

Financial troubles ruined their holidays.

Adjective 'financiers' qualifying 'ennuis'.

Il a sombré dans l'ennui après son départ à la retraite.

He sank into boredom after his retirement.

Metaphorical verb 'sombrer' (to sink).

L'ennui, tel que décrit par Baudelaire, est un mal profond.

Boredom, as described by Baudelaire, is a deep evil.

Comparative 'tel que' structure.

Le désœuvrement des jeunes ruraux alimente l'ennui social.

The idleness of rural youth fuels social boredom.

Abstract sociological subject and object.

Il y a une noblesse dans l'ennui quand il invite à la méditation.

There is a nobility in boredom when it invites meditation.

Abstract philosophical claim.

Elle fuyait l'ennui des salons parisiens pour la solitude des Alpes.

She fled the boredom of Parisian salons for the solitude of the Alps.

Contrast between social 'ennui' and natural 'solitude'.

L'ennui est le revers de la médaille de notre société de loisirs.

Boredom is the flip side of the coin of our leisure society.

Idiomatic 'le revers de la médaille'.

On ne saurait sous-estimer le pouvoir destructeur de l'ennui.

One cannot underestimate the destructive power of boredom.

Formal 'on ne saurait' structure.

Les ennuis judiciaires de l'entreprise ont fait la une des journaux.

The company's legal troubles made the front page of the newspapers.

Specific formal collocation 'ennuis judiciaires'.

Son ennui n'était que le masque d'une grande souffrance.

His boredom was only the mask of great suffering.

Restrictive 'ne... que' (only).

L'ennui métaphysique saisit l'homme face à l'immensité du cosmos.

Metaphysical boredom seizes man when faced with the cosmos's immensity.

High-level philosophical usage.

L'œuvre est empreinte d'un ennui qui confine à l'absurde.

The work is imbued with a boredom that borders on the absurd.

Verb 'confiner à' (to border on).

Il s'agit de débusquer l'ennui là où il se cache, sous l'agitation.

It is a matter of flushing out boredom where it hides, under the agitation.

Infinitive 'débusquer' (to flush out/uncover).

L'ennui est le terreau fertile sur lequel germent les révolutions.

Boredom is the fertile soil on which revolutions germinate.

Extended metaphor.

Nul n'est à l'abri des ennuis que réserve une existence trop tranquille.

No one is safe from the troubles that a too-quiet existence holds.

Formal 'nul n'est à l'abri'.

Le style de l'auteur parvient à sublimer l'ennui du quotidien.

The author's style manages to sublime the boredom of daily life.

Verb 'sublimer' in an artistic context.

L'ennui n'est-il pas, au fond, la forme la plus pure de la conscience ?

Is not boredom, fundamentally, the purest form of consciousness?

Rhetorical question with 'n'est-il pas'.

Elle a dissipé ses ennuis d'un revers de main souverain.

She brushed away her troubles with a sovereign wave of her hand.

Literary expression 'd'un revers de main'.

Synonyms

la lassitude le désœuvrement la monotonie la barbe le spleen le souci la platitude le marasme

Antonyms

l'amusement le divertissement l'intérêt la passion

Common Collocations

tromper l'ennui

un ennui mortel

sombrer dans l'ennui

éprouver de l'ennui

avoir des ennuis

s'attirer des ennuis

fuir l'ennui

le comble de l'ennui

ennuis judiciaires

ennuis de santé

Common Phrases

Quel ennui !

— How boring! / What a bore!

Quel ennui de devoir refaire tout ce travail !

C'est l'ennui total.

— It's completely boring.

Il n'y a pas de musique, c'est l'ennui total ici.

Tuer l'ennui.

— To kill time or get rid of boredom.

On a inventé des jeux pour tuer l'ennui.

L'ennui naquit un jour de l'uniformité.

— Boredom was born one day from uniformity (a famous quote).

Comme dit le proverbe, l'ennui naquit de l'uniformité.

Sans ennui.

— Without any trouble or boredom.

Le voyage s'est passé sans aucun ennui.

Chercher des ennuis.

— To look for trouble.

Arrête de le provoquer, tu cherches des ennuis.

Se sortir d'un ennui.

— To get out of a problem.

Il a réussi à se sortir de cet ennui financier.

Vivre dans l'ennui.

— To live a boring life.

Elle ne voulait pas vivre dans l'ennui de la province.

Un petit ennui.

— A minor problem.

J'ai eu un petit ennui avec ma serrure ce matin.

L'ennui est profond.

— The boredom is deep.

Le silence dans la salle montrait que l'ennui était profond.

Often Confused With

l'ennui vs Annoyance

In English, 'annoyance' means irritation. In French, 'l'ennui' is primarily boredom.

l'ennui vs Ennuyé

This is the adjective 'bored'. Don't say 'Je suis l'ennui' when you mean 'I am bored'.

l'ennui vs La nuit

Sounds slightly similar but means 'the night'. Note the 'en' nasal in 'l'ennui'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Mourir d'ennui"

— To be extremely bored.

Je meurs d'ennui dans cette réunion.

informal

"S'ennuyer comme un rat mort"

— To be bored to death (literally: like a dead rat).

Le dimanche ici, on s'ennuie comme un rat mort.

slang

"S'ennuyer à cent sous l'heure"

— To be incredibly bored (literally: at 100 sous an hour).

Pendant son discours, on s'ennuyait à cent sous l'heure.

informal

"C'est la barbe !"

— What a bore! / How annoying!

Encore de la pluie ? C'est la barbe !

informal

"Avoir des ennuis par-dessus la tête"

— To be overwhelmed by troubles.

Avec ses dettes, il a des ennuis par-dessus la tête.

informal

"Chercher midi à quatorze heures"

— To make things complicated (related to causing unnecessary ennuis).

Ne cherche pas midi à quatorze heures, c'est simple.

neutral

"S'ennuyer ferme"

— To be very bored.

On s'est ennuyé ferme pendant tout le trajet.

neutral

"L'ennui est le père de tous les vices"

— Boredom is the root of all evil.

Il faut occuper les enfants, car l'ennui est le père de tous les vices.

neutral

"C'est là que le bât blesse"

— That's where the trouble is (related to 'l'ennui' as a problem).

Le projet est bon, mais c'est là que le bât blesse : le budget.

neutral

"Prendre son mal en patience"

— To endure a boring or difficult situation patiently.

Le train a du retard, il faut prendre notre mal en patience.

neutral

Easily Confused

l'ennui vs ennuyeux

It's the adjective form.

'L'ennui' is the noun (boredom), 'ennuyeux' is the adjective (boring).

Ce film est ennuyeux, j'éprouve de l'ennui.

l'ennui vs agacement

Often translated as annoyance.

'Agacement' is irritation, while 'ennui' is boredom.

Son agacement était visible, mais son ennui était caché.

l'ennui vs souci

Both can mean problem.

'Souci' is a worry or small problem; 'ennuis' (plural) are often more serious troubles.

J'ai un souci technique, mais il a des ennuis financiers.

l'ennui vs lassitude

Similar meaning.

'Lassitude' implies being tired of something, 'ennui' is just lack of interest.

Après dix ans, la lassitude a remplacé l'ennui.

l'ennui vs désœuvrement

Both relate to having nothing to do.

'Désœuvrement' is the state of being idle; 'ennui' is the feeling that results.

Son désœuvrement le poussait vers l'ennui.

Sentence Patterns

C'est + [ennui]

C'est l'ennui.

Avoir des ennuis avec + [noun]

J'ai des ennuis avec mon frère.

[Verb] pour tromper l'ennui

Il lit pour tromper l'ennui.

Un sentiment d'ennui + [adjective]

Un sentiment d'ennui profond m'envahit.

L'ennui de + [infinitive]

L'ennui de devoir attendre est insupportable.

[Noun] confine à l'ennui

Sa vie confine à l'ennui le plus total.

S'attirer des ennuis

Il s'attire toujours des ennuis.

Quel ennui de + [infinitive]

Quel ennui de faire la vaisselle !

Word Family

Nouns

ennui

ennuyeux (referring to a boring person/thing)

Verbs

ennuyer

s'ennuyer

Adjectives

ennuyeux

ennuyé

lassitude

monotonie

souci

problème

désœuvrement

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both singular (boredom) and plural (troubles).

Common Mistakes

Using 'ennui' as an adjective. → Using 'ennuyeux' or 'ennuyé'.
'L'ennui' is a noun. You cannot say 'C'est très ennui'.
Thinking 'ennui' means 'annoyance'. → Using 'agacement'.
While related, 'ennui' is boredom. 'Agacement' is the feeling of being annoyed.
Making 'ennui' feminine. → Le grand ennui.
The noun is masculine despite its ending.
Using 'J'ai l'ennui' for 'I am bored'. → Je m'ennuie.
In French, we use the reflexive verb to express the state of being bored.
Using 'ennuis' (plural) to mean 'boredoms'. → Moments d'ennui.
'Les ennuis' specifically refers to troubles or problems.

Tips

Watch the Plural

Always remember that 'les ennuis' changes the meaning to 'troubles'. If you want to say you have many moments of boredom, use 'des moments d'ennui'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'lassitude' if the boredom comes from doing the same thing too much, and 'désœuvrement' if it's because there's nothing to do.

The Nasal 'EN'

The first syllable is a nasal vowel. Practice by saying 'encore' and keeping that same 'en' sound for 'ennui'.

Existential Context

When reading French literature, look for 'l'ennui' as a major theme of the 19th century. It's more than just being bored; it's a soul-sickness.

Quel Ennui !

This is your go-to phrase for complaining about something boring. It's natural and very common in France.

Personification

In essays, you can treat 'l'ennui' as a character. 'L'ennui s'empare de la ville' (Boredom seizes the city).

Soft 'N'

The 'n' in 'ennui' is doubled in spelling but pronounced as a single clear 'n' sound.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ennuis' with an 's' sound in a liaison (e.g., 'les-z-ennuis'), it almost always means problems.

Opposites

Pair 'l'ennui' with 'la passion'. Passion is the fire that burns away boredom.

Mourir d'ennui

Use this hyperbole to sound more like a native speaker when you are very bored.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ennui' as the 'end of we' (fun). When the 'we' (fun) ends, 'ennui' begins.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting on a chair in a completely empty grey room, staring at a clock that isn't moving.

Word Web

Boredom Trouble Melancholy Monotony Problem Spleen Idleness Annoyance

Challenge

Write three sentences about a boring day using 'l'ennui' as the subject of at least one sentence.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'enui', which comes from the Late Latin 'inodiare' (to make loathsome).

Original meaning: The root 'in odio' means 'in hatred' or 'hateful,' suggesting a strong aversion.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'les ennuis' can be a euphemism for serious legal or personal problems.

English speakers often use 'boredom' as a simple state, whereas 'ennui' in English is a loanword used for a more sophisticated, existential type of boredom.

Charles Baudelaire's 'Spleen et Idéal' in 'Les Fleurs du Mal'. Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary', where the protagonist suffers from provincial ennui. The film 'L'Eclisse' by Michelangelo Antonioni (though Italian, it captures the 'ennui' of French New Wave cinema).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/Education

S'ennuyer en cours
L'ennui scolaire
Un sujet d'un grand ennui
Tuer l'ennui en classe

Work/Office

L'ennui au travail
Avoir des ennuis avec son patron
Des tâches d'un ennui mortel
Éviter les ennuis administratifs

Daily Life

L'ennui du dimanche
Avoir des ennuis de voiture
Tromper l'ennui devant la télé
S'attirer des ennuis

Literature/Art

L'ennui baudelairien
Exprimer l'ennui
Le thème de l'ennui
Un ennui profond et poétique

Legal/Financial

Avoir des ennuis avec la justice
Ennuis financiers
Se sortir d'un ennui
Causer des ennuis juridiques

Conversation Starters

"Que fais-tu pour tromper l'ennui quand tu es seul chez toi ?"

"Penses-tu que l'ennui est nécessaire pour être créatif ?"

"Quel est le film le plus marqué par l'ennui que tu aies jamais vu ?"

"As-tu déjà eu des ennuis parce que tu avais oublié quelque chose d'important ?"

"Comment peut-on aider les enfants à ne pas ressentir trop d'ennui pendant les vacances ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une journée où l'ennui était votre seul compagnon. Qu'avez-vous ressenti ?

Racontez une fois où vous avez eu des ennuis à cause d'un malentendu.

L'ennui est-il une émotion positive ou négative selon vous ? Développez votre pensée.

Comment la technologie moderne a-t-elle changé notre rapport à l'ennui ?

Imaginez un monde où l'ennui n'existerait pas. Serait-ce un monde meilleur ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is masculine: 'un ennui', 'le grand ennui'. People often mistake it because of the 'i' ending, but it follows the masculine pattern.

In the singular, 'l'ennui' usually means boredom. In the plural, 'les ennuis' usually means troubles, problems, or difficulties.

Historically yes, and the verb 'ennuyer' still can, but as a noun, 'l'ennui' almost always means boredom in modern French. Use 'agacement' for annoyance.

Use the reflexive verb: 'Je m'ennuie'. Do not say 'J'ai l'ennui' or 'Je suis l'ennui'.

It can be. While it can mean simple boredom, in literature it often describes a deep, painful existential void.

It means to find something to do so you aren't bored anymore. It's like 'to pass the time' or 'to kill boredom'.

Yes, especially in the plural 'ennuis' to describe administrative or legal problems. In the singular, it might describe a lack of motivation.

It is an idiom meaning 'deadly boredom' or being 'bored to death.' It's very common in informal speech.

Yes, they both come from the Latin 'inodiare'. French kept the 'boredom' sense while English took the 'irritation' sense.

No, you wouldn't call a person 'un ennui'. You would call them 'ennuyeux' (boring) or 'un raseur' (a bore).