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A1 adjective #3,000 mais comum 9 min de leitura

lourd

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Explicação lourd in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'lourd' as a basic descriptive word for physical objects. It is one of the first adjectives you use to describe things you carry, like a 'sac' (bag) or a 'valise' (suitcase). You should focus on the simple masculine form 'lourd' and the feminine form 'lourde'. At this stage, you are just learning that some things are 'lourds' (heavy) and others are 'légers' (light). You might use it in simple sentences like 'Le sac est lourd' or 'La boîte est lourde'. It helps you express physical needs, such as asking for help to carry something. You don't need to worry about the figurative meanings yet; just focus on weight and the basic grammar of adjective agreement. Remember to pronounce the 'd' only when it is followed by an 'e' in the feminine form. This is a great word to practice your basic French sentence structure: Subject + Verb (être) + Adjective.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'lourd' in a few more contexts, specifically the weather and food. You will learn the impersonal expression 'Il fait lourd', which is very common in summer to describe muggy or humid weather. You also start to use it to describe meals that are a bit too much to handle, like 'un repas lourd'. You are becoming more comfortable with adjective agreement in the plural: 'des sacs lourds' and 'des valises lourdes'. You might also encounter the term 'poids lourd' when seeing trucks on the highway. At this level, you are expanding your ability to describe your environment and your physical sensations. You can start comparing things using 'plus lourd que' (heavier than). Your vocabulary is growing to include the physical feeling of heaviness in the air or in your stomach after a big dinner.

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At the B1 level, you start to explore the figurative and social meanings of 'lourd'. You might hear someone described as 'lourd', meaning they are being annoying or lack social tact. You'll understand that 'il est lourd' isn't about the person's weight, but their behavior. You also start using 'lourd' to describe abstract things like a 'silence lourd' (a heavy silence) or 'une ambiance lourde' (a heavy atmosphere). Your understanding of the word becomes more nuanced; you can distinguish between a physical weight and an emotional one. You might use it to describe a difficult responsibility: 'C'est une lourde tâche'. At this stage, you are expected to use the word accurately in both literal and metaphorical senses, and you are beginning to recognize the slang use 'C'est du lourd' in casual conversations with friends or in media.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'lourd' with precision in professional and social contexts. You understand the concept of 'la lourdeur administrative' (bureaucratic red tape) and can use it to complain effectively about complex processes. You are familiar with the slang 'du lourd' and know exactly when it is appropriate to use it (and when it isn't). You can use 'lourd' to describe complex textures in wine or food, and you can use it in more sophisticated grammatical structures. You might use it to describe the 'heavy' style of an author or the 'heavy' consequences of a decision ('de lourdes conséquences'). You are also aware of synonyms like 'pesant' and can choose the right word to convey the specific 'weight' of a situation, whether it's the physical weight of a building or the psychological weight of a secret.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'lourd' is stylistic and nuanced. You can use it in literary or formal writing to create specific moods. You might describe a 'démarche lourde' to imply a certain character trait in a story, or use 'lourd de sens' to describe a statement that is full of hidden meaning. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other words in the 'poids' (weight) family. You can navigate the most subtle social cues, knowing exactly how insulting it is to call someone 'lourd' and how to use the word ironically. Your vocabulary includes specialized terms like 'industrie lourde' or 'artillerie lourde', and you can use these in debates or academic discussions. You are sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence and might place 'lourd' before the noun for poetic effect.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'lourd' and its entire range of meanings. You can appreciate and use the word in complex wordplay, puns, and high-level literature. You understand the most obscure idiomatic expressions and can use 'lourd' to describe the density of philosophical arguments or the gravitas of a historical figure. You can effortlessly switch between the slang 'C'est du lourd' in a casual text and 'une lourdeur de style' in a literary critique. You are aware of how the word has evolved over time in the French language and can identify its use in regional dialects or older texts. For you, 'lourd' is not just a word for weight; it's a versatile tool for expressing intensity, seriousness, annoyance, and excellence across all registers of the French language.

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lourd em 30 segundos

Lourd means 'heavy' in terms of weight, like a heavy suitcase or box.
It describes muggy, humid weather using the phrase 'il fait lourd'.
It refers to rich, fatty food that is difficult for the stomach to digest.
In slang, it describes someone annoying or something that is impressively 'big'.

The French word lourd is a fundamental adjective that every learner must master early on. At its most basic level, it translates to "heavy" in English, referring to physical weight. However, its utility extends far beyond scales and suitcases. In French culture, lourd captures various nuances of density, atmosphere, and even social behavior. Understanding when to use it requires a grasp of both literal and figurative contexts. Whether you are describing a heavy box, a humid afternoon, or an annoying friend, lourd is your go-to descriptor.

Physical Weight: This is the primary use. Anything that has significant mass and is difficult to lift is described as lourd. For example, furniture, luggage, or equipment. In this context, it is the direct opposite of léger (light).

Attention, ce carton est très lourd !

Atmospheric Pressure: When the weather is humid, muggy, or oppressive, especially before a storm, the French say le temps est lourd. It conveys the feeling of the air pressing down on you.

Beyond these, lourd is also used to describe food that is hard to digest. If you eat a meal rich in cream, butter, and fat, you might say ce plat est lourd. It doesn't mean the plate weighs a lot, but that it feels heavy in your stomach. In modern slang, particularly among younger generations, you might hear the phrase C'est du lourd ! which ironically means something is excellent, impressive, or high-quality. This is similar to the English slang "that's heavy" from the 70s, but used to mean "that's awesome" today.

Le silence est devenu lourd après sa révélation.

Finally, the word appears in many abstract settings. A "heavy silence" (un silence lourd) or a "heavy responsibility" (une lourde responsabilité) uses the adjective to describe the metaphorical weight of a situation. The feminine form is lourde, and the plural forms are lourds (masculine) and lourdes (feminine). Always remember to agree the adjective with the noun it describes. This versatility makes lourd an essential building block for describing physical sensations, emotional states, and environmental conditions in French-speaking daily life.

Using lourd correctly involves more than just knowing its meaning; you must master its grammatical agreement and placement. As an adjective, it typically follows the noun it modifies, though it can also be used as a predicate adjective after verbs like être (to be), sembler (to seem), or paraître (to appear).

Grammatical Agreement: Masculine Singular: lourd. Feminine Singular: lourde. Masculine Plural: lourds. Feminine Plural: lourdes. Example: Une valise lourde (A heavy suitcase) vs. Un sac lourd (A heavy bag).

Ces chaises en fer sont vraiment lourdes.

In a sentence, lourd can change meaning slightly based on the noun it accompanies. When describing a person (Il est lourd), it often implies they are socially burdensome. If you are talking about someone's walk (une démarche lourde), it suggests a lack of grace or a heavy-footed gait. In technical or industrial contexts, you might see poids lourd, which literally means "heavy weight" but is the standard term for a truck or semi-trailer. This shows how the word transitions from a simple adjective to a compound noun.

Elle porte une lourde écharpe en laine autour du cou.

Comparisons: Use plus lourd que (heavier than) or moins lourd que (less heavy than). Example: Le plomb est plus lourd que l'aluminium.

When writing, pay attention to the intensity. You can modify lourd with adverbs like très (very), trop (too), un peu (a bit), or extrêmement (extremely). For instance, Ce dossier est trop lourd à porter seul means "This file is too heavy to carry alone," both literally and figuratively. In literary French, lourd might be placed before the noun to add emphasis or poetic weight: Un lourd secret (A heavy secret). This placement makes the adjective feel more intrinsic to the noun's identity rather than just a temporary state.

In the daily life of a French speaker, lourd is ubiquitous. You will hear it in the most mundane situations, like at the grocery store or the airport, but also in complex social dynamics. Understanding the context of where you hear it will help you decode its intended meaning instantly.

At the Market or Store: You'll hear customers and vendors talking about the weight of produce or bags. "C'est lourd, vous voulez un sac ?" (It's heavy, do you want a bag?). It's a practical, everyday usage.

Ton sac à dos a l'air super lourd, tu veux de l'aide ?

In social circles, especially among younger people, lourd is a very common pejorative adjective. If someone is hitting on someone else too insistently or making inappropriate jokes, bystanders might whisper, "Il est trop lourd, ce mec" (That guy is so annoying/creepy). It describes a lack of subtlety or social grace. Conversely, in the music or entertainment industry, you might hear a producer say, "On a du lourd pour l'album," meaning they have some really powerful, high-quality tracks ready. This slang usage is positive and emphasizes impact and substance.

Franchement, ses blagues sont un peu lourdes à la fin.

Weather Reports: Meteorologists or people chatting about the heat will use lourd to describe that stifling, humid air that often precedes a summer thunderstorm. "L'air est lourd, l'orage arrive."

In professional settings, lourd appears in discussions about finance or industry. L'industrie lourde refers to heavy industry (like steel or chemicals). In legal or administrative contexts, a peine lourde is a heavy or severe sentence. Thus, from the street to the courtroom, lourd scales its meaning to fit the gravity of the situation. Listening for the tone—whether it's a literal complaint about weight, a sigh about the weather, or a sharp critique of someone's personality—is key to understanding the French speaker's intent.

Even though lourd seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble over its nuances and grammatical requirements. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your French sound much more natural and precise.

Agreement Errors: The most common mistake is forgetting to add the 'e' for feminine nouns or 's' for plural. Remember: Une table lourde, not Une table lourd. The pronunciation changes too; the 'd' is silent in lourd but heard in lourde.

Faux: La valise est lourd.
Vrai: La valise est lourde.

Another mistake involves the word pesant. While pesant also means heavy, it is often more formal or used specifically for something that "weighs" a certain amount. English speakers sometimes use lourd when they should use difficile or dur. For example, a "heavy day" at work is usually une journée chargée or difficile, rather than lourde, unless you mean the atmosphere was oppressive. Using lourd for a busy schedule sounds slightly off to a native ear.

Attention à ne pas dire 'Il est lourd' pour 'He is serious'. Dites 'Il est sérieux'.

The Slang Trap: Be careful with C'est du lourd. If you use it in a very formal business meeting to describe a report, it might come off as too casual or slangy. Stick to C'est un travail important or conséquent in formal settings.

Lastly, learners often forget that lourd for food means "rich" or "filling" in a negative way (hard to digest). If you want to say a meal was "hearty" or "filling" in a positive way, you might prefer copieux. Saying a meal was lourd usually implies you feel a bit sick or sluggish afterwards. Distinguishing between these subtle emotional undertones will prevent you from accidentally insulting a host's cooking!

To truly enrich your French vocabulary, you should know the synonyms and alternatives for lourd. Depending on the context—whether physical, atmospheric, or social—different words might provide a more precise meaning.

Pesant: This is the closest synonym to lourd. It is often used for atmospheric weight or a "heavy" silence. It feels slightly more literary or formal. Example: Un silence pesant.

L'atmosphère dans la salle était devenue pesante.

Massif: Used for objects that are not just heavy but also large and solid. Un meuble massif suggests a piece of furniture made of solid wood that is very difficult to move.

When discussing responsibilities or consequences, conséquent or important are often better choices than lourd. For example, une lourde amende is common, but une amende importante is equally valid and slightly more neutral. In terms of physical weight, if something is extremely heavy, you might use accablant (overwhelmingly heavy), though this is more often used for heat (une chaleur accablante).

Opposites: The primary antonym is léger (light). For weather, you might use frais (cool/fresh). For food, léger or sain (healthy). For a person, subtil or fin.

In summary, while lourd is a versatile "catch-all" word, using its alternatives like pesant, massif, or indigeste allows you to describe the specific type of "heaviness" you are experiencing. This precision is what separates a beginner from an intermediate or advanced speaker. Pay attention to how native speakers choose between these words based on the emotional or physical context of the conversation.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'lourd' in French and 'lurid' in English share the same Latin root 'luridus', but their meanings have diverged significantly over the centuries!

Guia de pronúncia

UK /luʁ/

US /luʁ/

Single syllable, equal stress.

Rima com

four (oven) court (short) sourds (deaf - plural) tour (tower/turn) jour (day) amour (love) toujours (always) cours (course/yard)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the final 'd' in the masculine form (it should be silent).
Not pronouncing the 'd' in the feminine form 'lourde' (the 'e' makes the 'd' audible).
Confusing the 'ou' sound with 'u' (lourd vs lurd).
Nasalizing the vowel (it is not a nasal sound).
Making the 'r' too harsh like an English 'r'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Escrita 2/5

Requires attention to adjective agreement (lourd/lourde).

Expressão oral 2/5

Must remember to keep the 'd' silent in the masculine form.

Audição 2/5

Easy to hear, but can be confused with 'court' or 'sourds' in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Sac Poids Petit Grand Être

Aprenda a seguir

Léger Peser Humide Pénible Indigeste

Avançado

Lourdeur Alourdir Massif Accablant Succomber

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement

Le sac est lourd / La valise est lourde.

Impersonal 'Il fait'

Il fait lourd (Weather).

Comparatives

Plus lourd que / Moins lourd que.

Placement of Adjectives

Un sac lourd (Usually after the noun).

Noun from Adjective

La lourdeur (The heaviness).

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Exemplos por nível

Ce sac est très lourd.

This bag is very heavy.

Masculine singular agreement with 'sac'.

La valise est lourde.

The suitcase is heavy.

Feminine singular agreement with 'valise'.

C'est un livre lourd.

It is a heavy book.

Adjective follows the noun 'livre'.

Mes chaussures sont lourdes.

My shoes are heavy.

Feminine plural agreement with 'chaussures'.

Le carton n'est pas lourd.

The box is not heavy.

Negation 'ne...pas' around the verb 'est'.

Est-ce que c'est lourd ?

Is it heavy?

Interrogative form using 'est-ce que'.

Il porte un paquet lourd.

He is carrying a heavy package.

Verb 'porter' (to carry).

Les objets sont lourds.

The objects are heavy.

Masculine plural agreement.

Il fait lourd cet après-midi.

It is muggy this afternoon.

Impersonal expression 'il fait lourd' for weather.

Ce gâteau est un peu lourd.

This cake is a bit heavy.

Adverb 'un peu' modifies the adjective.

Le camion est un poids lourd.

The truck is a heavy vehicle.

'Poids lourd' is a fixed noun phrase.

L'air est lourd avant l'orage.

The air is heavy before the storm.

Describing the atmosphere.

Elle a mangé un repas lourd.

She ate a heavy meal.

Describes food that is hard to digest.

Ce vélo est plus lourd que le mien.

This bike is heavier than mine.

Comparative 'plus...que'.

Il marche avec un pas lourd.

He walks with a heavy step.

Describes the sound or feel of walking.

Les rideaux sont trop lourds pour la tringle.

The curtains are too heavy for the rod.

Adverb 'trop' (too).

Arrête d'être lourd avec tes questions !

Stop being annoying with your questions!

Figurative use meaning 'annoying'.

Un silence lourd s'est installé dans la pièce.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Metaphorical heaviness.

C'est une lourde responsabilité pour lui.

It is a heavy responsibility for him.

Abstract noun modified by 'lourde'.

Il a un humour un peu lourd.

He has a somewhat crude/annoying sense of humor.

Describes a person's social style.

Le climat politique est devenu lourd.

The political climate has become heavy.

Describes a social or political situation.

Cette sauce est vraiment trop lourde.

This sauce is really too rich/heavy.

Refers to digestibility.

Elle a le cœur lourd aujourd'hui.

She has a heavy heart today.

Idiomatic expression for sadness.

Le bilan de l'accident est lourd.

The toll of the accident is heavy.

Refers to a high number of victims or damage.

L'administration française est parfois lourde.

French administration is sometimes cumbersome.

Refers to bureaucracy.

C'est du lourd, ce nouvel album !

This new album is impressive/awesome!

Slang expression 'du lourd'.

Il a été condamné à une lourde peine.

He was sentenced to a heavy penalty.

Legal context.

Le secret était trop lourd à porter.

The secret was too heavy to carry.

Metaphorical use of 'porter'.

Le style de cet auteur est un peu lourd.

This author's style is a bit ponderous.

Literary criticism.

L'industrie lourde est en crise.

Heavy industry is in crisis.

Economic/Industrial term.

Il a l'estomac lourd après ce banquet.

His stomach feels heavy after this banquet.

Physical sensation of indigestion.

Une atmosphère lourde de menaces pesait sur la ville.

An atmosphere heavy with threats hung over the city.

Literary construction.

Ses paroles étaient lourdes de sens.

His words were fraught with meaning.

Expression 'lourd de' + noun.

Il traîne un lourd passé derrière lui.

He carries a heavy past behind him.

Metaphor for life experiences.

La décision aura de lourdes conséquences.

The decision will have heavy consequences.

Predicting serious impact.

Le dispositif policier était particulièrement lourd.

The police presence was particularly heavy/large.

Refers to scale and resources.

Elle éprouve une lourde lassitude.

She feels a heavy weariness.

Abstract emotional state.

L'investissement est lourd, mais nécessaire.

The investment is substantial, but necessary.

Financial context.

Il a une démarche lourde et assurée.

He has a heavy and confident gait.

Describing physical movement style.

Le ciel, lourd et bas, semblait nous écraser.

The sky, heavy and low, seemed to crush us.

Literary/Poetic description.

L'artillerie lourde a été déployée.

Heavy artillery has been deployed.

Military terminology.

Il y a une certaine lourdeur dans son écriture.

There is a certain heaviness in his writing.

Noun form 'lourdeur'.

Le contentieux est lourd entre les deux entreprises.

The dispute is significant between the two companies.

Legal/Business dispute.

Sa plaisanterie était d'une lourdeur incroyable.

His joke was incredibly tactless/cringe.

Using the noun 'lourdeur' for social gaffes.

Le silence se fit, lourd, presque palpable.

Silence fell, heavy, almost palpable.

Advanced literary placement of the adjective.

Le passif de la société est trop lourd.

The company's liabilities are too heavy.

Accounting/Financial term.

Elle a succombé sous le poids d'une lourde peine de cœur.

She succumbed under the weight of a heavy heartbreak.

Poetic/Romantic expression.

L'héritage colonial est lourd à porter pour la nation.

The colonial heritage is heavy for the nation to bear.

Sociopolitical context.

Colocações comuns

Poids lourd

Lourde responsabilité

Silence lourd

Temps lourd

Lourdes conséquences

Lourde peine

Industrie lourde

Artillerie lourde

Lourd secret

Lourdeur administrative

Frases Comuns

Il fait lourd.

— It is muggy/humid outside. Used when the air feels thick before a storm.

Ouvrez la fenêtre, il fait lourd ici.

C'est du lourd.

— That's impressive or high quality. Very common modern slang.

Tu as vu son nouveau projet ? C'est du lourd !

Avoir le cœur lourd.

— To feel sad or burdened by emotion.

Elle a le cœur lourd depuis son départ.

Être lourd.

— To be annoying, tactless, or to insist too much.

Arrête de l'appeler, tu deviens lourd.

Avoir la main lourde.

— To be heavy-handed, often with salt, spices, or punishment.

Tu as eu la main lourde sur le sel !

Un lourd tribut.

— A heavy price to pay, often in terms of lives or suffering.

La ville a payé un lourd tribut à la guerre.

Dormir d'un sommeil lourd.

— To sleep very deeply.

Après la randonnée, il a dormi d'un sommeil lourd.

Une lourde amende.

— A large/expensive fine.

Il a reçu une lourde amende pour excès de vitesse.

Un passé lourd.

— A difficult or traumatic personal history.

Il a un passé lourd dont il ne parle jamais.

Sortir l'artillerie lourde.

— To use extreme measures or powerful arguments.

Pour gagner le procès, ils ont sorti l'artillerie lourde.

Frequentemente confundido com

lourd vs Grave

Grave is for serious/sad things; lourd is for heavy/burdensome things.

lourd vs Dur

Dur means hard/difficult; lourd means heavy in weight.

lourd vs Pesant

Pesant is a synonym but usually more formal or atmospheric.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Avoir le sommeil lourd"

— To be a heavy sleeper; hard to wake up.

Rien ne le réveille, il a le sommeil vraiment lourd.

Neutral

"Avoir la main lourde"

— To use too much of something (like salt) or to punish too severely.

N'aie pas la main lourde avec le piment.

Neutral

"C'est du lourd !"

— It's awesome / It's a big deal / It's high quality.

Le concert d'hier, c'était du lourd !

Slang

"Être lourd (avec quelqu'un)"

— To be annoying or inappropriate, especially in a social or romantic context.

Il a été super lourd avec la serveuse.

Informal

"Un lourd secret"

— A secret that is very difficult to keep or has serious implications.

Elle porte ce lourd secret depuis son enfance.

Neutral

"Poids lourd"

— An influential person or a large truck.

C'est un poids lourd de l'industrie cinématographique.

Neutral

"Lourd de conséquences"

— Having very serious or significant results.

Un choix lourd de conséquences pour l'avenir.

Formal

"Avoir les jambes lourdes"

— To have tired, aching legs, often from walking or heat.

En fin de journée, j'ai souvent les jambes lourdes.

Neutral

"Une lourde perte"

— A significant loss, often referring to death or money.

Sa disparition est une lourde perte pour la science.

Formal

"Sentir le poids lourd de..."

— To feel the intense pressure of something.

Il sent le poids lourd du regard des autres.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

lourd vs Court

Similar sound.

Court means short; lourd means heavy.

Ce chemin est court, mais mon sac est lourd.

lourd vs Sourd

Rhymes perfectly.

Sourd means deaf; lourd means heavy.

Il est sourd et porte un lourd appareil.

lourd vs Loup

Similar start.

Loup means wolf; lourd means heavy.

Le loup n'est pas très lourd.

lourd vs Lourdeur

Noun form.

Lourd is the adjective (heavy); lourdeur is the noun (heaviness).

Je sens la lourdeur de ce sac lourd.

lourd vs Pesant

Synonym.

Lourd is more common for objects; pesant is more common for feelings/air.

L'air est pesant.

Padrões de frases

Le [noun] est lourd.

Le livre est lourd.

La [noun] est lourde.

La table est lourde.

Il fait lourd [time].

Il fait lourd ce soir.

Il est lourd avec [noun].

Il est lourd avec ses blagues.

Avoir le cœur lourd.

J'ai le cœur lourd.

C'est du lourd.

Ton projet, c'est du lourd.

[Noun] lourd de [noun].

Un silence lourd de reproches.

Une lourdeur de [noun].

Une lourdeur de style.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

lourdeur (heaviness/clumsiness)

lourdaud (clumsy person)

Verbos

alourdir (to make heavier)

s'alourdir (to become heavier)

Adjetivos

lourd (heavy)

lourdaud (clumsy/awkward)

Relacionado

poids (weight)

peser (to weigh)

pesant (heavy/weighty)

chargé (loaded)

massif (massive)

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Como usar

frequency

High (Top 1000 words)

Erros comuns

La table est lourd. → La table est lourde.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'table'.
Il est lourd. (Meaning: He is serious) → Il est sérieux.
'Lourd' for a person means annoying, not serious.
Pronouncing the 'd' in 'un sac lourd'. → Silent 'd'.
The final 'd' is silent in masculine singular adjectives unless followed by a vowel.
Using 'lourd' for heavy rain. → Une pluie forte.
French uses 'forte' (strong) for rain, not 'lourde'.
C'est un lourd jour. → C'est une journée chargée.
'Lourd' isn't typically used for a busy day; use 'chargée'.

Dicas

Agreement is Key

Always remember to match 'lourd' with the gender and number of the noun. 'Un sac lourd' but 'Une boîte lourde'.

Silent D

In the masculine singular 'lourd', the 'd' is silent. Don't say 'loord-uh' unless it's feminine!

Social Context

Calling a person 'lourd' is a common way to say they are annoying or lack social boundaries.

Muggy Weather

Use 'Il fait lourd' during hot, humid summer days. It's a very common phrase.

Positive Slang

Remember that 'C'est du lourd' is actually a compliment meaning 'It's great' or 'It's impressive'.

Heavy Meals

If a meal has too much cream or fat, it is 'lourd'. It might make you feel 'l'estomac lourd'.

Poids Lourd

Learn 'poids lourd' as one unit to refer to trucks. It's very common on road signs.

Heartbroken

To say you are sad, you can say 'avoir le cœur lourd'. It's poetic and common.

Comparing

Use 'plus lourd que' to compare the weight of two things easily.

Formal Use

In professional writing, use 'lourd' for responsibilities, fines, or administrative burdens.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Lord' who is so 'Lourd' (heavy) that he can't get out of his throne. Or imagine 'Lourd' sounds like 'Load' - a heavy load.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant, heavy lead (lourd) weight falling into a pool of water with a loud splash.

Word Web

Poids Sac Valise Temps Humide Indigeste Ennuyeux Camion

Desafio

Try to use 'lourd' in three different ways today: once for an object, once for the weather, and once for a feeling.

Origem da palavra

From the Vulgar Latin 'lurdus', which likely came from 'luridus' (pale, yellow, or ghastly). Over time, the meaning shifted from a sickly appearance to the physical sensation of being sluggish or heavy.

Significado original: Sluggish, dull, or physically heavy.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexto cultural

Calling a person 'lourd' is an insult. Be careful using it directly to someone's face unless you are joking with close friends.

English speakers often use 'heavy' for serious things (heavy news), but in French, 'lourd' is less common for news (we use 'grave' or 'triste') and more common for social annoyance.

The term 'Poids Lourd' in boxing. The song 'C'est du lourd' by various French rappers. Literary descriptions of 'le ciel lourd' in Baudelaire's poetry.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Moving House

C'est trop lourd.
Aide-moi, c'est lourd.
Attention au dos, c'est lourd.
Ce meuble est lourd.

Weather

Il fait lourd.
L'air est lourd.
C'est lourd aujourd'hui.
L'orage va éclater, il fait lourd.

Dining

Ce plat est lourd.
La sauce est lourde.
J'ai l'estomac lourd.
C'est un peu lourd comme dessert.

Socializing

Il est lourd.
C'est du lourd !
Ne sois pas lourd.
Quelle lourdeur !

Legal/Business

De lourdes pertes.
Une lourde amende.
Une lourde tâche.
Un passif lourd.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Tu ne trouves pas qu'il fait un peu lourd aujourd'hui ?"

"Est-ce que ton sac est trop lourd pour toi ?"

"Quel est le plat le plus lourd que tu as mangé ?"

"Tu aimes le nouveau film ? Moi je trouve que c'est du lourd !"

"Pourquoi est-ce que l'administration est toujours aussi lourde ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une fois où vous avez dû porter quelque chose de très lourd.

Qu'est-ce qui rend une personne 'lourde' selon vous ?

Parlez d'une responsabilité lourde que vous avez eue dans votre vie.

Quel temps préférez-vous : un temps frais ou un temps lourd ?

Expliquez l'expression 'avoir le cœur lourd' avec un exemple personnel.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Mostly, but it can also mean muggy (weather), hard to digest (food), or annoying (person). In slang, it means impressive.

No, the 'd' is silent in the masculine form 'lourd'. However, it is pronounced in the feminine form 'lourde'.

We usually say 'une pluie forte' or 'une pluie battante' rather than 'lourde'.

Yes, but 'gros' (fat) or 'peser lourd' (to weigh a lot) is more common. Calling someone 'lourd' usually refers to their personality.

It is the standard French term for a large truck or a semi-trailer.

The most common opposite is 'léger', which means light.

Only in specific contexts like 'de lourdes conséquences'. For 'serious person', use 'sérieux'.

No, it is very informal slang. Use it with friends, not in a job interview.

Add an 'e' and an 's' to get 'lourdes'.

Use 'pesant' when you want to sound more formal or when describing a 'heavy' atmosphere or silence.

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