At the A1 level, you should think of 'éclabousser' as a word for fun and accidents with water. Imagine a child jumping into a big puddle of water after it rains. The water goes everywhere! That is 'éclabousser'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'L'enfant éclabousse l'eau' (The child splashes the water). It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'parler' or 'manger'. At this stage, just focus on the physical action of water moving and hitting things. You might see it in picture books or hear it at the swimming pool. It is a very sensory word that helps you describe the world around you. Don't worry about the complicated metaphorical meanings yet. Just remember: water + hitting a person or thing = éclabousser. It's a fun word to say because of the 'cl' and 'ss' sounds! Practice saying it slowly: é-cla-bou-sser. Remember that the 'er' at the end sounds like the 'ay' in 'play'. If you are at the beach and your friend splashes you, you can say, 'Hé ! Tu m'éclabousses !' This is a great way to start using the word in real life.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'éclabousser' in more complete sentences and in different tenses like the passé composé. For example, 'Hier, une voiture m'a éclaboussé' (Yesterday, a car splashed me). You should also learn to use it with the preposition 'de' to say what you were splashed with, like 'éclaboussé de boue' (splashed with mud). This level is about describing daily life and small problems. You might use it when talking about the weather or chores. For instance, 'Je déteste faire la vaisselle parce que j'éclabousse toujours mes vêtements' (I hate doing the dishes because I always splash my clothes). You are also starting to see the reflexive form 's'éclabousser'. This is used when you splash yourself or each other. 'Les enfants s'éclaboussent dans le jardin' (The children are splashing each other in the garden). It's a useful verb for adding detail to your stories about your day. Try to notice it in simple French stories or when people are talking about rainy days. The word is very common in France because it rains quite often in many parts of the country, and the sidewalks can have many puddles!
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'éclabousser' in both its literal and beginning metaphorical senses. You can describe more complex situations, such as 'L'huile chaude a éclaboussé le cuisinier' (Hot oil splashed the cook). You should also be aware of the passive voice: 'Nous avons été éclaboussés par le passage du camion' (We were splashed by the passing of the truck). At this level, you might encounter the word in news articles or more descriptive literature. You might hear it used to describe a scandal in a simple way: 'Cette affaire commence à éclabousser la mairie' (This affair is starting to taint the city hall). This is where you move beyond just water and mud and start talking about reputations and consequences. Your vocabulary is growing, and you can compare 'éclabousser' with similar verbs like 'asperger' (to spray) or 'tacher' (to stain). You understand that 'éclabousser' is about the impact and the mess. Practice using it in your writing to make your descriptions more vivid. For example, instead of just saying 'il y avait de l'eau partout', you could say 'l'eau a éclaboussé tous les meubles'. This shows a higher level of French proficiency.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'éclabousser' with nuance and precision. You should be very familiar with its metaphorical use in the context of politics, business, and social scandals. For instance, 'Le scandale de dopage a éclaboussé l'ensemble de l'équipe cycliste' (The doping scandal tainted the entire cycling team). You understand that the word implies a spread of negativity or 'dirt' from a central source to those nearby. You should also be able to use it in different registers. In a formal report, you might write about 'les éclaboussures d'une crise financière' (the fallout/splashes of a financial crisis). Your grammar should be more advanced, correctly handling agreement in reflexive and passive constructions. You can also use the word in more poetic or creative ways, such as describing light 'éclaboussant' a landscape. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'éclabousser' and synonyms like 'jaillir' or 'projeter'. You can discuss the social implications of someone 'éclaboussant les autres de sa fortune' (dazzling/overwhelming others with their wealth). At this level, the word becomes a tool for sophisticated commentary on both physical events and social dynamics.
At the C1 level, your use of 'éclabousser' should be seamless and stylistically varied. You can use it in complex literary analyses or high-level political discussions. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it fits into the broader landscape of French verbs of motion and impact. You might use it to describe an artistic technique in detail: 'L'artiste utilise une technique d'éclaboussement pour exprimer le chaos' (The artist uses a splashing technique to express chaos). In a professional context, you can navigate the nuances of liability and reputation: 'Comment éviter que ce litige n'éclabousse nos partenaires commerciaux ?' (How can we prevent this dispute from tainting our business partners?). You are also sensitive to the phonetics of the word and how its sound contributes to the imagery in poetry or prose. You can identify and use rare or archaic related terms if necessary. Your understanding of the word is not just about its meaning, but about its 'flavor' in a sentence—how it adds energy, messiness, or a sense of scandal. You can use it to create powerful metaphors that resonate with a native-speaking audience, showing a deep cultural and linguistic integration.
At the C2 level, 'éclabousser' is a word you can play with. You have a masterly command of all its literal, figurative, and idiomatic applications. You can use it in spontaneous, high-level debate to describe the 'splatter' effect of an argument or a policy. You might use it in a philosophical context to describe how one's actions 'éclaboussent' the lives of others, for better or worse. You are fully aware of its usage in classical French literature versus modern slang or journalese. You can use the word to create subtle irony or sarcasm: 'Sa modestie légendaire a fini par nous éclabousser' (Their legendary modesty ended up 'splashing' us—ironically suggesting they were actually quite boastful). You understand the word's place in the French collective consciousness, from the mud of the trenches in WWI literature to the political scandals of the Fifth Republic. Your mastery is such that you can invent new metaphorical uses that feel natural and evocative to other native-level speakers. The word is no longer a vocabulary item to be remembered; it is a versatile brush in your linguistic palette, used to add texture, movement, and moral weight to your expression in any conceivable context.

éclabousser em 30 segundos

  • A verb meaning to splash or splatter liquid.
  • Commonly used for rain, mud, and kitchen accidents.
  • Frequently used metaphorically for scandals tainting reputations.
  • Follows regular -er verb conjugation patterns.
The French verb éclabousser is a vivid and sensory word that primarily describes the action of liquid, such as water, mud, or paint, hitting a surface and scattering into many small droplets. In a literal sense, it is what happens when a car drives too fast through a puddle and douses a pedestrian on the sidewalk. This verb captures the suddenness and often the messiness of the action. It is an essential word for describing weather-related mishaps, childhood play, and kitchen accidents. For an English speaker, it is most closely related to 'to splash' or 'to splatter.' However, éclabousser often carries a connotation of an unintended or slightly aggressive impact. It is not just the movement of the water, but the fact that the water hits something else, often making it wet or dirty.
Physical Context
The most common use involves liquids like rain, mud, or sea waves. For example, if you are standing by the shore and a large wave hits a rock, it might éclabousser you. Similarly, if you drop a heavy object into a bowl of soup, the liquid will éclabousser the tablecloth.

Fais attention à ne pas éclabousser tes vêtements neufs avec de la boue en marchant près de cette flaque d'eau profonde.

Beyond the physical, the word has a powerful metaphorical application in French. When a person's reputation is damaged by a scandal involving someone they are associated with, we say they have been 'éclaboussé' by the scandal. This is similar to the English idea of 'mud-slinging' or 'the fallout hitting someone.' It suggests that even if the person was not directly involved in the wrongdoing, the 'mess' of the situation has reached them and stained their image. This dual nature—the literal mess and the social stain—makes it a very versatile verb in both daily conversation and journalism. In the context of art, a painter might éclabousser a canvas with paint to create a specific effect, much like the techniques used by Jackson Pollock. In the kitchen, a chef might warn an apprentice not to éclabousser the hot oil when adding ingredients to a pan. The word is deeply rooted in the physical reality of liquids and their unpredictable nature.
Metaphorical Context
In politics or business, a scandal can éclabousser an entire organization. This implies that the negative consequences are spreading like liquid droplets, affecting everyone in the vicinity of the core issue.

Le scandale financier a fini par éclabousser tous les membres du conseil d'administration, même ceux qui n'étaient pas au courant.

Use this word whenever there is a sense of liquid dispersion or a spread of negative influence. It is a very descriptive and evocative verb that helps paint a clear picture in the listener's mind. Whether you are talking about a child jumping in a puddle or a political crisis, éclabousser is the perfect choice for describing that 'splatter' effect.
Using éclabousser correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a regular -er verb and its transitive nature. In its most basic form, the structure is: [Subject] + [éclabousser] + [Direct Object]. For example, 'La voiture éclabousse le piéton' (The car splashes the pedestrian). This is the most straightforward way to use the verb. However, French learners should also be aware of how to specify what the liquid is. This is usually done using the preposition 'de'. For instance, 'Il m'a éclaboussé de boue' (He splashed me with mud). Here, 'boue' is the substance causing the splash.
Transitive Usage
The verb always acts on something. You can éclabousser a person, a wall, a dress, or even a reputation. It is rare to see it used intransitively (without an object) in standard French.

En sautant dans la piscine, Thomas a éclaboussé tous ses amis qui étaient assis sur les chaises longues.

The verb can also be used in the reflexive form, s'éclabousser. This occurs when someone splashes themselves, perhaps while washing their face or playing with water. 'Je me suis éclaboussé en faisant la vaisselle' (I splashed myself while doing the dishes). This reflexive use is very common in domestic contexts. Furthermore, the passive voice is frequently employed, especially when the focus is on the victim of the splashing. 'J'ai été éclaboussé par un bus' (I was splashed by a bus). This construction is useful when you want to emphasize the result rather than the agent of the action. In more advanced contexts, you might see éclabousser used with abstract nouns. 'Sa réussite éclabousse toute la famille' (Their success reflects brilliantly on the whole family / splashes glory onto them). While the metaphorical use is often negative (scandals), it can occasionally be positive, suggesting a radiant quality that affects those nearby. However, the negative 'stain' metaphor is much more frequent.
Reflexive Usage
Use 's'éclabousser' when the action is performed by the subject on themselves. 'Les enfants s'éclaboussent dans la baignoire' (The children are splashing each other/themselves in the bathtub).

Elle s'est éclaboussée de peinture en essayant de repeindre le plafond du salon ce matin.

Conjugating éclabousser is simple as it follows the first-group verb pattern. In the present tense: j'éclabousse, tu éclabousses, il/elle éclabousse, nous éclaboussons, vous éclaboussez, ils/elles éclaboussent. In the passé composé, it uses the auxiliary 'avoir': j'ai éclaboussé. Mastering these forms allows you to describe various scenarios, from a rainy day in Paris to a messy art project or a complex political situation involving multiple parties being 'stained' by an event.
You will encounter éclabousser in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. On a rainy day in a French city, you might hear a frustrated pedestrian exclaim, 'Oh non ! Cette voiture m'a complètement éclaboussé !' (Oh no! That car completely splashed me!). This is perhaps the most common everyday use of the word. In a household setting, parents often use it with children: 'Ne m'éclabousse pas !' (Don't splash me!) while the children are in the bath or playing in a pool.
News and Media
In French news broadcasts (le JT), the word is frequently used in reports about corruption or scandals. Journalists might say, 'L'affaire de corruption continue d'éclabousser le gouvernement' (The corruption case continues to taint the government). This metaphorical usage is a staple of political commentary.

À la une aujourd'hui : une nouvelle révélation qui pourrait éclabousser le secteur bancaire tout entier.

In literature, éclabousser is used to create vivid imagery. An author might describe the moonlight 'éclaboussant' the surface of a lake, or blood 'éclaboussant' a wall in a crime novel. It is a word that appeals to the senses, helping the reader visualize the movement and spread of a substance. You will also find it in culinary contexts, specifically in recipes or cooking shows. A chef might warn, 'Faites attention, car l'eau dans l'huile peut éclabousser' (Be careful, because water in oil can splatter). In high-end fashion or interior design, the word can describe a pattern or a style that looks like splattered paint (un effet éclaboussé). It suggests a certain artistic spontaneity. Whether you are reading a newspaper, watching a movie, or just walking down the street, éclabousser is a word that bridges the gap between the physical and the figurative.
Social Context
In a social sense, to 'éclabousser' can also mean to show off one's wealth or talent in a way that is overwhelming to others. 'Il aime éclabousser les autres de sa richesse' (He likes to dazzle/overwhelm others with his wealth).

Elle a réussi à éclabousser toute l'assemblée par son intelligence et son éloquence lors de son discours.

Hearing this word in France often signals either a physical mess or a social complication. It is a word that carries weight and energy, making it very popular in expressive French speech. By paying attention to these different contexts, you will begin to appreciate the richness of this verb beyond its simple dictionary definition.
One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using éclabousser is confusing it with other verbs related to water or liquids, such as 'asperger' or 'arroser'. While 'asperger' means 'to spray' or 'to sprinkle' (often intentionally, like with perfume or holy water), and 'arroser' means 'to water' (like plants), éclabousser specifically implies the messy, scattering impact of a liquid hitting a surface. Using 'arroser' when you mean 'to splash someone with mud' would sound very strange to a native speaker.
Preposition Errors
Many learners forget to use the preposition 'de' when specifying the substance. They might say 'Il m'a éclaboussé avec boue' instead of the correct 'Il m'a éclaboussé de boue'. In French, 'de' is the standard preposition used with verbs of covering or staining.

Faux : Il a éclaboussé de l'eau sur moi.
Correct : Il m'a éclaboussé d'eau.

Another mistake involves the spelling, particularly the 'é' at the beginning and the double 's'. Learners often forget the accent or use only one 's', which would change the pronunciation significantly. Remember that the double 's' ensures the 's' sound is sharp (like 'ss' in 'kiss') rather than a 'z' sound. Learners also struggle with the metaphorical usage. Sometimes they try to use 'éclabousser' in contexts where 'impliquer' (to involve) or 'affecter' (to affect) would be more appropriate. Remember that éclabousser specifically carries the nuance of a 'stain' or 'collateral damage' from a messy situation. If there is no sense of a 'mess' spreading, another verb might be better.
Intransitive Misuse
Avoid saying just 'Ça éclabousse' without any context. While technically possible, it is much more natural to say 'L'eau éclabousse le mur' or 'Fais attention aux éclaboussures' (using the noun form).

Ne confondez pas éclabousser (splash) avec épandre (to spread/scatter seeds or fertilizer).

Finally, don't forget the pronunciation of the ending. In 'éclabousser', the 'r' is silent, and the 'er' sounds like 'ay'. In the conjugated form 'éclaboussent', the 'ent' is silent. These are standard rules for -er verbs, but they are crucial for being understood. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use éclabousser with the precision and confidence of a native speaker.
When you want to describe liquids moving or hitting things, French offers several alternatives to éclabousser, each with its own nuance. Understanding these differences will help you choose the exact word for the situation.
Asperger vs Éclabousser
'Asperger' means to spray or sprinkle. It is often intentional and involves smaller droplets than 'éclabousser'. You might asperger someone with perfume or water from a spray bottle. 'Éclabousser' is usually more violent and accidental.

Le jardinier asperge les fleurs d'insecticide, tandis que le chien éclabousse tout le monde en sortant de l'étang.

Another close synonym is 'tacher', which means 'to stain'. While éclabousser describes the action of the liquid hitting the surface, 'tacher' describes the result—the mark left behind. Often, if you éclabousser someone with mud, you will also tacher their clothes. 'Arroser' is another common verb, but it specifically means 'to water' or 'to douse'. It implies a larger volume of water and is usually a deliberate action, like watering a garden or 'arroser' a victory with champagne. In a metaphorical sense, instead of éclabousser, you could use 'compromettre' (to compromise) or 'salir' (to dirty/soil). 'Salir une réputation' is a common phrase that carries a similar weight to 'éclabousser une réputation', though 'éclabousser' emphasizes the spread of the scandal from another source.
Jaillir vs Éclabousser
'Jaillir' refers to the liquid coming out of its source (like a fountain or a wound), whereas 'éclabousser' refers to that liquid hitting something else and scattering.

L'eau jaillit du tuyau percé et finit par éclabousser tous les passants sur le trottoir.

If you want to describe the sound of splashing, you might use 'clapotter' (the sound of small waves against a boat) or 'faire plouf' (to go splash, often used by children). For a more formal or scientific context, 'projeter' (to project/throw) might be used to describe the trajectory of the droplets. By learning these alternatives, you can tailor your French to be more descriptive and precise, choosing 'éclabousser' when you specifically want to highlight the messy impact and dispersion of a liquid.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word is thought to be onomatopoeic in origin, mimicking the sound of a splash ('clab...'). It has been used in French since the 16th century.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /eklabuse/
US /eklabuse/
The stress is typically on the final syllable 'sser'.
Rima com
pousser glisser passer manger chanter danser aimer jouer
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the final 'r'.
  • Pronouncing the 'ent' in 'éclaboussent'.
  • Mixing up the 'ou' sound with 'u'.
  • Forgetting the initial 'é' sound.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially with water-related words.

Escrita 3/5

Requires memory of the double 's' and the 'é'.

Expressão oral 3/5

The 'ou' and 'ss' sounds need to be distinct.

Audição 2/5

The 'cl' sound is very recognizable.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

eau voiture boue tacher mouiller

Aprenda a seguir

asperger arroser jaillir souiller compromettre

Avançado

le réquisitoire l'opprobre l'infamie le lyrisme

Exemplos por nível

1

L'enfant éclabousse l'eau dans la baignoire.

The child splashes the water in the bathtub.

Present tense, third person singular.

2

Ne m'éclabousse pas !

Don't splash me!

Imperative mood, negative form.

3

Le chien éclabousse ses maîtres.

The dog splashes its owners.

Direct object 'ses maîtres'.

4

J'éclabousse un peu d'eau.

I splash a little water.

First person singular.

5

Tu éclabousses tes chaussures.

You are splashing your shoes.

Second person singular.

6

Nous éclaboussons nos amis.

We are splashing our friends.

First person plural.

7

Il éclabousse la vitre.

He splashes the window.

Simple subject-verb-object.

8

Elle éclabousse le chat.

She splashes the cat.

Transitive verb use.

1

La voiture m'a éclaboussé hier soir.

The car splashed me last night.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Je me suis éclaboussé de boue.

I splashed myself with mud.

Reflexive verb in passé composé.

3

Fais attention à ne pas éclabousser le mur.

Be careful not to splash the wall.

Infinitive after 'à ne pas'.

4

Les enfants se sont éclaboussés tout l'après-midi.

The children splashed each other all afternoon.

Reflexive plural agreement.

5

Elle a éclaboussé sa robe neuve.

She splashed her new dress.

Past participle 'éclaboussé'.

6

Le bus a éclaboussé les passants.

The bus splashed the passersby.

Direct object 'les passants'.

7

Tu t'es éclaboussé le visage.

You splashed your face.

Reflexive with a specific body part.

8

Nous n'avons pas éclaboussé la cuisine.

We didn't splash the kitchen.

Negative passé composé.

1

L'huile a éclaboussé le plan de travail.

The oil splashed the countertop.

Subject is 'L'huile'.

2

Il a été éclaboussé par un scandale local.

He was tainted by a local scandal.

Passive voice, metaphorical use.

3

Le plongeur a éclaboussé les juges.

The diver splashed the judges.

Specific sporting context.

4

Elle s'est éclaboussée en ouvrant la bouteille.

She splashed herself while opening the bottle.

Reflexive agreement (feminine).

5

Le sang a éclaboussé le tapis dans le film.

Blood splashed the carpet in the movie.

Descriptive narrative use.

6

Nous avons peur d'éclabousser nos voisins.

We are afraid of splashing our neighbors.

Infinitive after 'peur de'.

7

L'eau de mer éclaboussait le pont du bateau.

Sea water was splashing the deck of the boat.

Imperfect tense for description.

8

Il m'a éclaboussé de son mépris.

He splashed me with his contempt.

Abstract metaphorical use.

1

Cette affaire de corruption risque d'éclabousser tout le parti.

This corruption case risks tainting the whole party.

Metaphorical 'stain' meaning.

2

Le soleil éclaboussait la pièce de lumière.

The sun was splashing the room with light.

Poetic/artistic use.

3

Il a fini par être éclaboussé par les mensonges de son associé.

He ended up being tainted by his partner's lies.

Passive voice with 'par'.

4

Le succès de sa sœur l'a un peu éclaboussé.

His sister's success reflected a bit on him.

Positive metaphorical use.

5

Les vagues éclaboussaient violemment les rochers noirs.

The waves were violently splashing the black rocks.

Adverb 'violemment' modifying the verb.

6

Elle craignait que le scandale ne l'éclabousse.

She feared that the scandal might taint her.

Subjunctive mood after 'craindre'.

7

Le peintre a éclaboussé la toile de couleurs vives.

The painter splashed the canvas with bright colors.

Artistic context.

8

Ne laisse pas tes problèmes personnels éclabousser ton travail.

Don't let your personal problems affect/taint your work.

Causative-like structure with 'laisser'.

1

La démission du ministre a fini par éclabousser le Premier ministre lui-même.

The minister's resignation ended up tainting the Prime Minister himself.

Complex political narrative.

2

L'éclat de son génie éclaboussait tous ceux qui l'approchaient.

The brilliance of his genius dazzled everyone who approached him.

High-level metaphorical use.

3

Il est difficile de ne pas être éclaboussé quand on fréquente de tels milieux.

It is difficult not to be tainted when one frequents such circles.

General truth/proverbial style.

4

Le torrent éclaboussait les parois de la gorge avec un fracas assourdissant.

The torrent splashed the walls of the gorge with a deafening roar.

Rich descriptive vocabulary.

5

Elle a été éclaboussée par la boue jetée par ses détracteurs lors de la campagne.

She was tainted by the mud slung by her detractors during the campaign.

Metaphorical 'mud-slinging'.

6

Le vin rouge a éclaboussé la nappe blanche, créant une tache indélébile.

The red wine splashed the white tablecloth, creating an indelible stain.

Precise descriptive adjectives.

7

Cette décision pourrait éclabousser la réputation de l'entreprise à l'international.

This decision could taint the company's reputation internationally.

Conditional mood for potential impact.

8

Les rires des enfants éclaboussaient le silence du vieux manoir.

The children's laughter splashed the silence of the old manor.

Synesthetic metaphor (sound as liquid).

1

L'opprobre jeté sur le patriarche n'a pas manqué d'éclabousser sa descendance.

The disgrace cast upon the patriarch did not fail to taint his descendants.

Formal/literary vocabulary ('opprobre', 'descendance').

2

La lumière crue du projecteur éclaboussait la scène, révélant chaque imperfection.

The harsh light of the spotlight splashed the stage, revealing every imperfection.

Nuanced use of 'éclabousser' for light.

3

Dans ce réquisitoire, l'avocat a tenté d'éclabousser la crédibilité du témoin clé.

In this indictment, the lawyer tried to taint the credibility of the key witness.

Legal/rhetorical context.

4

Le lyrisme de ses vers éclabousse la grisaille du quotidien de mille feux.

The lyricism of his verses splashes the grayness of everyday life with a thousand fires.

Highly poetic/abstract construction.

5

Il craignait que l'infamie de son geste ne vienne éclabousser l'honneur de son régiment.

He feared that the infamy of his gesture would come to taint the honor of his regiment.

Formal 'ne' explétif and high-register nouns.

6

La boue du scandale a fini par éclabousser les plus hautes sphères de l'État.

The mud of the scandal ended up tainting the highest echelons of the state.

Journalistic/Political metaphor.

7

L'eau jaillissant de la fontaine éclaboussait les passants distraits dans un ballet désordonné.

The water gushing from the fountain splashed the distracted passersby in a disordered ballet.

Participial phrase and metaphorical 'ballet'.

8

Sa verve et son esprit éclaboussaient les salons parisiens de l'époque.

His verve and wit dazzled the Parisian salons of the time.

Historical/Literary context.

Colocações comuns

éclabousser les passants
être éclaboussé par un scandale
éclabousser de boue
éclabousser de lumière
s'éclabousser le visage
éclabousser de talent
faire éclabousser l'eau
éclabousser la nappe
se faire éclabousser
éclabousser de peinture

Frases Comuns

Ça éclabousse !

— It's splashing! Used as a warning or observation.

Recule, ça éclabousse !

Se faire éclabousser

— To get splashed by something.

Je me suis fait éclabousser par un camion.

Éclabousser de rire

— To burst out laughing (less common, poetic).

Leur joie éclaboussait la pièce.

Sans éclabousser

— Without making a mess or causing a stir.

Il a réglé le problème sans éclabousser personne.

Éclabousser de partout

— To splash everywhere.

L'eau a éclaboussé de partout dans la salle de bain.

Être loin d'être éclaboussé

— To be completely uninvolved in a mess or scandal.

Il est loin d'être éclaboussé par cette affaire.

Éclabousser le monde

— To dazzle or shock the world.

Sa découverte a éclaboussé le monde scientifique.

Gouttes qui éclaboussent

— Splashing drops.

Regarde les gouttes qui éclaboussent la fenêtre.

Éclabousser les murs

— To splash the walls.

La peinture a éclaboussé les murs.

Éclabousser de sang

— To splash with blood (often in crime contexts).

La scène de crime était éclaboussée de sang.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Éclabousser de sa fortune"

— To show off one's wealth in an overwhelming way.

Il aime éclabousser ses amis de sa nouvelle fortune.

informal
"Être éclaboussé par la boue"

— To have one's reputation ruined by association with a scandal.

Toute la famille a été éclaboussée par la boue de ce procès.

metaphorical
"Éclabousser de son génie"

— To dazzle others with one's great intelligence or talent.

Elle éclabousse l'assemblée de son génie oratoire.

literary
"Faire des éclaboussures"

— To cause a stir or create a scandal.

Cette décision va faire des éclaboussures dans la presse.

journalistic
"Éclabousser le silence"

— A poetic way to describe a sudden, bright sound or light.

Un cri vint éclabousser le silence de la nuit.

poetic
"Recevoir des éclaboussures"

— To suffer the minor consequences of someone else's mistake.

J'ai reçu quelques éclaboussures de son échec.

figurative
"Éclabousser la galerie"

— To perform or show off to impress an audience.

Il joue du piano pour éclabousser la galerie.

informal
"Vivre sans éclabousser"

— To live a quiet life without causing trouble or attracting attention.

Elle préfère vivre sa vie sans éclabousser.

philosophical
"Éclabousser de mépris"

— To show extreme contempt for someone.

Il l'a éclaboussée de son mépris le plus total.

literary
"Une réussite qui éclabousse"

— A success so great it benefits or affects everyone around.

C'est une réussite qui éclabousse toute l'équipe.

positive metaphor

Família de palavras

Substantivos

une éclaboussure (a splash/splatter)
un éclaboussement (the act of splashing)

Verbos

éclabousser (to splash)

Adjetivos

éclaboussant (splashing/dazzling)
éclaboussé (splashed/tainted)

Relacionado

boue (mud)
eau (water)
tache (stain)
scandale (scandal)
pluie (rain)

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'CLAP' of water that 'BOOS' you because you got wet. E-CLAP-BOU-SSER.

Associação visual

Imagine a car driving through a puddle and 'clapping' the water onto your 'boots' (bou-).

Word Web

water mud scandal stain car puddle shower splatter

Desafio

Try to describe a time you got splashed by a car or in a pool using three different tenses of éclabousser.

Origem da palavra

The word comes from the Old French 'esclabousser', which is likely a combination of 'es-' (out) and a root related to 'clabousser'.

Significado original: To splash with mud or water.

Romance (French).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, though use in sensitive political contexts requires care.

English speakers use 'splash' for both water and scandals, making the transition to 'éclabousser' quite natural.

'L'Éclaboussure' is a title used in various French artistic works. Journalistic headlines often use this verb for high-profile trials.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Weather/Rain

  • faire attention aux flaques
  • être trempé
  • une voiture qui roule vite
  • la boue sur le trottoir

Swimming/Pool

  • sauter dans l'eau
  • faire une bombe
  • ne pas mouiller ses cheveux
  • jouer avec ses amis

Politics/News

  • une affaire de corruption
  • une enquête judiciaire
  • la réputation du ministre
  • perdre la face

Kitchen/Cooking

  • l'huile qui saute
  • faire bouillir l'eau
  • nettoyer le plan de travail
  • porter un tablier

Art/Painting

  • projeter de la peinture
  • une toile abstraite
  • mélanger les couleurs
  • un pinceau mouillé

Iniciadores de conversa

"Est-ce qu'une voiture t'a déjà éclaboussé un jour de pluie ?"

"Aimes-tu éclabousser tes amis quand tu es à la piscine ?"

"Penses-tu que ce scandale va éclabousser d'autres personnes ?"

"Comment éviter d'éclabousser partout quand on fait la cuisine ?"

"As-tu déjà essayé de peindre en éclaboussant la toile ?"

Temas para diário

Décris une fois où tu as été éclaboussé par surprise.

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