When you let out a soupir, you are sighing. It's that sound you make when you breathe out slowly and deeply. You might do this if you're feeling a bit sad or disappointed.
A soupir can also show that you're relieved about something, like when a difficult task is finally over. Or maybe you're just very tired after a long day.
Think of it as a way your body expresses a strong feeling without using words.
When you hear the French word "soupir," think of a sigh. It's that audible breath, often deep and long, that we use to express a range of emotions. You might let out a "soupir" of sadness when something disappointing happens, or a "soupir" of relief when a difficult situation is over. It can also indicate tiredness after a long day. In French, it's a common and very human way to show what you're feeling without saying a word.
Examples by Level
Elle a poussé un soupir de soulagement en apprenant la bonne nouvelle.
She let out a sigh of relief when she heard the good news.
Here, 'pousser un soupir' is a common expression meaning 'to let out a sigh'.
Le soupir du vent dans les arbres créait une atmosphère mélancolique.
The sigh of the wind in the trees created a melancholy atmosphere.
Here, 'soupir' is used metaphorically for the sound of the wind.
Un profond soupir s'échappa de ses lèvres après une longue journée de travail.
A deep sigh escaped her lips after a long day of work.
'S'échapper de' means 'to escape from'.
Ses soupirs fréquents trahissaient son ennui pendant la réunion.
His frequent sighs betrayed his boredom during the meeting.
'Trahir' means 'to betray'.
Malgré ses soupirs de désespoir, il continuait de chercher une solution.
Despite his sighs of despair, he continued to look for a solution.
'Malgré' means 'despite'.
Elle entendit un léger soupir venant de la pièce voisine, signalant la présence de quelqu'un.
She heard a faint sigh coming from the next room, signaling someone's presence.
'Venant de' means 'coming from'.
Chaque soupir qu'il laissait échapper était chargé d'une tristesse indicible.
Every sigh he let out was laden with unspeakable sadness.
'Être chargé de' means 'to be laden with'.
Le vieux mur semblait émettre un soupir plaintif sous le poids des ans.
The old wall seemed to emit a plaintive sigh under the weight of the years.
Another metaphorical use of 'soupir', 'émettre' means 'to emit'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTo say 'to sigh' in French, you would use the verb soupirer. For example, 'Elle soupire' means 'She sighs'.
Yes, in music, soupir can indeed refer to a 'quarter rest' or 'crotchet rest.' It's a brief pause in the music.
No, while soupir often expresses sadness, it can also convey relief, tiredness, impatience, or even longing. It depends on the context.
A soupir is a 'sigh,' often an emotional or physical expression. A bâillement is a 'yawn,' typically associated with tiredness or boredom.
You can use soupir like this: 'J'ai entendu un soupir de soulagement.' (I heard a sigh of relief.) Or, 'Son soupir était profond.' (His sigh was deep.)
A common expression is 'pousser un soupir,' which means 'to let out a sigh.' For example, 'Elle a poussé un soupir de lassitude.' (She let out a sigh of weariness.)
Soupir is a masculine noun. So you would say 'un soupir' (a sigh) or 'le soupir' (the sigh).
Soupir is a neutral word; it's neither particularly formal nor informal. You can use it in various contexts.
Yes, soupir can be used metaphorically, for example, to describe a very soft, barely audible sound, like a 'soupir du vent' (a whisper of the wind).
The plural of soupir is 'soupirs.' For example, 'J'ai entendu plusieurs soupirs.' (I heard several sighs.)
Test Yourself 18 questions
Choose the best English translation for 'soupir'.
'Soupir' directly translates to 'sigh'.
Which of these situations would most likely cause someone to let out a 'soupir'?
A sigh often expresses relief or tiredness after effort.
Complete the sentence: Elle a poussé un grand ___ de soulagement.
To 'pousser un soupir' means to let out a sigh. Here, it's a sigh of relief.
A 'soupir' can express sadness.
Yes, a sigh can express various emotions including sadness.
A 'soupir' is always a sign of happiness.
No, a 'soupir' can express many emotions like sadness, relief, or tiredness, not just happiness.
When someone says 'Il a poussé un soupir', it means he sang a song.
To 'pousser un soupir' means to let out a sigh, not to sing.
Listen for the expression of relief.
Focus on the depth of the sigh.
Listen for the reason for the sigh.
Read this aloud:
Un soupir d'attente a rempli la pièce avant l'annonce des résultats.
Focus: soupir
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Malgré ses efforts, il n'a pu retenir un soupir de déception.
Focus: déception
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Elle a accueilli la fin de la réunion avec un soupir silencieux.
Focus: silencieux
You said:
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Choose the most appropriate synonym for "soupir" in the context of deep regret.
While 'expiration' and 'souffle' are related to breathing, and 'sanglot' implies crying, 'gémissement' (a moan or groan) best captures the essence of deep regret often associated with a 'soupir'.
In which of the following scenarios would expressing a "soupir de soulagement" be most fitting?
A 'soupir de soulagement' specifically denotes a sigh of relief, which is appropriate after a demanding task has been successfully concluded.
Which phrase best describes the nuance of a "soupir résigné"?
A 'soupir résigné' conveys resignation, meaning an acceptance of something undesirable, often without protest.
A "soupir mélancolique" would typically be accompanied by a jovial expression.
A 'soupir mélancolique' implies sadness or wistfulness, which would contradict a jovial (joyful) expression.
The idiom "rendre le dernier soupir" means to take one's last breath, or to die.
This idiom is a common and poetic way to express the act of dying in French.
A "soupir de contentement" suggests a feeling of dissatisfaction.
On the contrary, 'contentement' means contentment or satisfaction, so a 'soupir de contentement' would indicate pleasure or fulfillment.
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Example
Il a poussé un soupir de soulagement.
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