用你的语言查看此页面

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

हिन्दी

首页
学习
法语
词汇
suffoquer

B1 verb 15分钟阅读

suffoquer

开始练习例句笔记与提示 suffoquer 30秒了解

解析 suffoquer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'suffoquer' in its most basic physical sense: when it is very, very hot. Imagine you are in a small room with many people and the window is closed. You feel like you cannot breathe well. You can say: 'Il fait chaud, je suffoque !' This is a simple way to express extreme discomfort. At this level, don't worry about the complex emotional meanings. Just think of it as a stronger version of 'J'ai très chaud'. It's a useful word for surviving a French summer or a crowded bus. You might also see it in very simple stories where a character is in a place with a lot of smoke. Remember: it's a regular '-er' verb, so it conjugates just like 'parler' or 'habiter'.

免费注册阅读完整解释

At the A2 level, you can start using 'suffoquer' to describe environments more clearly. You can use it to talk about the 'canicule' (heatwave), which is a common topic in France. You should be able to say things like 'On suffoque dans cet appartement' (We are suffocating in this apartment). You are also introduced to the idea that it's not just heat, but also things like 'la fumée' (smoke) or 'la poussière' (dust) that make you suffoque. You might also encounter the adjective form 'suffocant' to describe the weather: 'Une chaleur suffocante'. At this level, you are beginning to see the word in short news clips or weather reports. It's a step up from A1 because you are using it to describe the world around you, not just your own feelings.

免费注册阅读完整解释

At the B1 level, you reach the most important transition: using 'suffoquer' figuratively. This is where you use the word to describe being 'choked' by emotions like anger, indignation, or shock. You should learn the construction 'suffoquer de...' followed by a noun. For example, 'suffoquer de colère' (to choke with anger) or 'suffoquer d'indignation' (to choke with indignation). This is very common in French when someone hears something scandalous or unfair. You are also expected to understand it in more varied contexts, such as literature or more detailed news reports. You should know the difference between 'suffoquer' and 'étouffer' (to choke/smother), realizing that 'suffoquer' is often about the physical reaction to a situation or emotion.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'suffoquer' in both formal and informal contexts with precision. You understand its transitive use (e.g., 'La pollution suffoque la ville') and its role in describing social or political oppression. You can use it to discuss complex topics, such as how a strict upbringing might make someone feel 'suffoqué'. You should also be able to recognize it in classical French literature, where it is used to heighten the drama of a scene. Your vocabulary should now include synonyms like 'asphyxier' for technical contexts and 'être sidéré' for the emotional 'breathless' feeling. You can explain the nuance: 'suffoquer' is a visceral, bodily response, whereas 'sidéré' is more about the mental impact of a shock.

免费注册阅读完整解释

At the C1 level, you use 'suffoquer' with stylistic flair. You understand its nuances in literary analysis and can use it to describe abstract concepts. For instance, you might talk about how 'le conformisme suffoque la créativité' (conformity suffocates creativity). You are sensitive to the 'register' of the word—knowing that while it's common, it carries a certain weight and intensity. You can use the past participle 'suffoqué' as a powerful adjective to describe a person's state of utter disbelief. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in sophisticated debates about society, environment, or psychology, accurately conveying the sense of being 'stifled' by various forces. You also recognize the word's etymological roots and how they contribute to its various meanings.

免费注册阅读完整解释

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'suffoquer'. You can appreciate and use it in its most poetic and philosophical senses. You might encounter it in the works of Proust or Baudelaire, where it describes the 'suffocation' of the soul or the overwhelming nature of memory and time. You can use it in high-level academic writing or professional speeches to describe systemic failures or intense physiological phenomena. You understand the subtle differences between 'suffoquer', 's'asphyxier', 's'étrangler', and 'haleter' in every possible context. You can play with the word's intensity to create specific rhetorical effects, moving effortlessly between literal and metaphorical meanings to paint a vivid picture for your audience.

免费注册阅读完整解释

开始练习例句笔记与提示

suffoquer 30秒了解

Suffoquer means to suffocate or gasp for air, often used physically for heat and smoke or figuratively for intense shock and indignation.
It is a regular -er verb conjugated with 'avoir'. Use it with the preposition 'de' to describe the emotional cause of the breathlessness.
Commonly heard in French weather reports during heatwaves ('canicule') and found in literature to describe characters overwhelmed by social pressure or anger.
Distinguish it from 'étouffer' (to smother/choke on food) and 'asphyxier' (technical/clinical oxygen deprivation). Suffoquer focuses on the visceral sensation of gasping.

The French verb suffoquer is a versatile and evocative term that primarily translates to 'to suffocate' or 'to stifle' in English. However, its usage in French extends far beyond the literal physical inability to breathe due to a lack of oxygen. At its core, suffoquer describes a physiological and emotional reaction where the respiratory process is interrupted or becomes labored. This can occur due to external environmental factors, such as intense heat, thick smoke, or a confined space, or it can be a purely internal, visceral reaction to a powerful emotion like shock, indignation, or overwhelming surprise. Understanding the nuances of suffoquer is essential for reaching a B1 level of proficiency, as it allows learners to describe both physical discomfort and complex emotional states with greater precision than simpler verbs like 'avoir chaud' or 'être surpris'.

Physical Context: In a physical sense, suffoquer is used when the air is unbreathable. It is frequently heard during the French 'canicule' (heatwave) when the air in cities becomes heavy and stagnant. It is also used in medical or emergency contexts to describe the effect of smoke inhalation or physical constriction of the airways.

Avec cette fumée épaisse, les pompiers commençaient à suffoquer.

Beyond the physical, the figurative use of suffoquer is perhaps even more common in literature and high-level conversation. When a French speaker says they are 'suffoqué', they are often expressing that they are 'speechless' or 'choked up' with a specific emotion, most notably indignation or outrage. It implies that the shock of a situation was so profound that it momentarily took their breath away. This is a key distinction from the English 'to suffocate', which is rarely used figuratively to mean 'to be shocked'. In French, if someone tells a blatant lie or behaves with extreme rudeness, you might 'suffoquer d'indignation'.

Figurative Context: Used to describe a state of being overwhelmed by emotion. It suggests a physical manifestation of a psychological shock, where the chest feels tight and words cannot form.

Elle est restée là, à suffoquer de colère après avoir entendu ses insultes.

Furthermore, suffoquer can be used transitively, meaning 'to cause someone to suffocate'. This is less common in daily speech but vital in descriptive writing. For example, 'La chaleur suffoque les citadins' (The heat is suffocating the city dwellers). This transitive use highlights the oppressive nature of an environment or a person's behavior. In social contexts, one might feel 'suffoqué' by a relationship or a strict environment that offers no 'air' or freedom. This metaphorical 'lack of air' is a recurring theme in French existentialist literature and drama, where characters struggle against the suffocating weight of societal expectations or their own existence.

Social Context: Often used to describe the feeling of being trapped in a situation that lacks freedom or spontaneity, much like a room without ventilation.

L'atmosphère de ce bureau est si formelle qu'elle me fait suffoquer.

In summary, suffoquer is a high-impact verb. It is not just about the lungs; it is about the body's total reaction to pressure, whether that pressure is atmospheric, biological, or emotional. When you use this word, you are conveying an intensity that 'étouffer' (to smother/stifle) sometimes lacks. Suffoquer implies a more violent, sudden, or overwhelming sensation. It is the gasp for air, the red face of anger, and the heavy silence of a humid afternoon all rolled into one powerful French verb.

Il a été suffoqué par la nouvelle soudaine de son départ.

Using suffoquer correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures and the prepositions that accompany it. As a regular -er verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its syntactic roles can vary. It can function as an intransitive verb (standing alone), a transitive verb (taking a direct object), or in a construction with a prepositional phrase to indicate the cause of the suffocation. Mastering these variations allows you to transition from simple observations about the weather to complex descriptions of human emotion and reaction.

Intransitive Usage: The verb stands alone to describe the subject's state. This is most common when complaining about heat or lack of air. Example: 'Ouvrez la fenêtre, on suffoque !' (Open the window, we're suffocating!)

Dans cette petite pièce sans aération, les invités commençaient à suffoquer.

When you want to specify the cause of the suffocation, particularly with emotions, you use the preposition 'de'. This structure is 'suffoquer de [noun]'. Common nouns used here include 'colère' (anger), 'indignation' (indignation), 'rire' (laughter), and 'rage' (rage). This construction is highly idiomatic and very frequent in French literature and dramatic storytelling. It paints a picture of someone so overcome by their feelings that they are physically struggling to maintain their breath. For example, 'Il suffoque de rage devant une telle injustice' (He is choking with rage at such injustice).

The 'Suffoquer de' Construction: Used to link the physical sensation to an emotional cause. It is essential for expressive storytelling. Example: 'Elle suffoquait de rire en voyant la scène.'

Le vieil homme suffoquait d'indignation face au comportement des jeunes.

Transitive usage is less common but equally important for formal writing. Here, the subject is the thing causing the suffocation, and the object is the person being affected. For example, 'La poussière suffoque les ouvriers' (The dust is suffocating the workers). In this case, suffoquer means 'to choke' or 'to stifle'. It can also be used figuratively: 'Cette bureaucratie me suffoque' (This bureaucracy is suffocating me). This highlights a sense of being trapped or restricted by an external force.

Passive and Adjectival Use: The past participle 'suffoqué' acts as an adjective describing someone who has lost their breath or is in a state of shock. Example: 'Il est ressorti du bâtiment, tout suffoqué.'

La foule était suffoquée par l'odeur âcre qui se dégageait de l'usine.

When conjugating suffoquer in compound tenses (like the passé composé), always use the auxiliary 'avoir'. For example, 'J'ai suffoqué' (I suffocated). Even when the verb describes a change in state, it follows the standard pattern for most transitive and intransitive verbs in French. In terms of tense choice, the imparfait is frequently used with suffoquer to describe a continuous state of discomfort or a lingering emotion: 'Pendant tout le trajet, je suffoquais dans ce wagon bondé' (During the whole trip, I was suffocating in that crowded carriage).

Tense and Aspect: Use the imparfait for ongoing states (heat, atmosphere) and the passé composé for sudden shocks or specific incidents of breathing difficulty.

Dès qu'il est entré dans la serre, il a suffoqué à cause de l'humidité.

Finally, consider the register. Suffoquer is a standard word, suitable for both formal writing and everyday speech. However, in very casual French, people might prefer 'étouffer' for physical choking or 'être scotché' or 'être sur le cul' (vulgar) for being shocked. Suffoquer remains the most precise and elegant way to describe that specific physical-emotional overlap where the breath catches in the throat.

In the real world, you will encounter suffoquer in a variety of contexts, ranging from the evening news to classic French novels. One of the most common modern settings is during the 'météo' (weather report). When France experiences extreme summer temperatures, meteorologists and journalists use 'suffoquer' to describe the effect of the heat on the population, especially in urban areas like Paris or Lyon where the 'îlots de chaleur' (heat islands) make the air feel thick and unbreathable. You might hear a news anchor say, 'La France suffoque sous une chaleur record' (France is suffocating under record heat). This usage emphasizes the collective struggle of the nation to find relief.

The News and Media: Used frequently in reports on environmental issues, pollution, and extreme weather to describe the physical impact on the public.

Avec le pic de pollution, les personnes fragiles commencent à suffoquer en ville.

In French literature, suffoquer is a favorite of 19th-century realists and naturalists like Émile Zola and Gustave Flaubert. They used the word to describe the physical and moral conditions of their characters. Whether it's a worker in a coal mine or a bourgeois woman trapped in a loveless marriage, the verb captures the essence of being trapped. When reading a French novel, look for 'suffoquer' when a character is confronted with a scandalous secret or a moment of high drama. It signals to the reader that the character's reaction is not just mental, but a full-body experience of distress.

Literature and Drama: A stylistic tool used to heighten the emotional stakes, showing that a character's internal world is impacting their physical health.

Dans le roman, le héros suffoque sous le poids de ses remords.

You will also hear suffoquer in medical or safety contexts. In a first-aid course (PSC1 in France), instructors will use the verb to describe the symptoms of respiratory distress. If you are watching a medical drama like 'Hippocrate', you might hear a doctor say, 'Le patient suffoque, il nous faut de l'oxygène' (The patient is suffocating, we need oxygen). In these scenarios, the word is strictly literal and high-stakes, requiring immediate action. Similarly, in safety briefings for airplanes or industrial sites, the term appears in instructions regarding smoke and oxygen masks.

Medical and Emergency: Used to identify a life-threatening lack of air. It is a critical word for emergency communication.

Elle a appelé les urgences car son enfant semblait suffoquer après avoir avalé un jouet.

Finally, in everyday conversation, suffoquer is used for dramatic effect. If a friend tells you a story about someone being incredibly rude to them, you might respond, 'C'est suffoquant !' (That's staggering/outrageous!). It's a way of saying the behavior is so bad it's hard to breathe in its presence. This colloquial use is common among adults discussing politics, social faux pas, or shocking news. It adds a layer of sophistication to your reactions, showing that you understand the cultural weight of 'indignation' in French life.

Everyday Conversation: Used as an exclamation of shock or to complain about a lack of comfort in a room or vehicle.

Je suffoque dans ce bus, est-ce qu'on peut ouvrir une fenêtre ?

For English speakers, the most common mistake with suffoquer is confusing it with the verb 'étouffer'. While they are often synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. 'Étouffer' is the general word for 'to choke' or 'to stifle' and is used more frequently for physical objects blocking the throat (like food) or for the act of smothering someone (with a pillow). Suffoquer, on the other hand, more specifically describes the *sensation* or the *state* of being unable to breathe, or the gasp for air. If you say 'Je suffoque' because you have a piece of bread in your throat, a French person will understand, but 'Je m'étouffe' is more technically correct for that specific physical obstruction.

Suffoquer vs. Étouffer: Suffoquer focuses on the physiological struggle and the gasping; Étouffer often implies a physical cause or a smothering action. Don't use suffoquer if you mean 'to muffle' a sound—that is always 'étouffer'.

On dit 'étouffer un cri' (to muffle a cry), pas 'suffoquer un cri'.

Another frequent error involves prepositions. English speakers often want to say 'suffoquer avec' (suffocate with) because that's the literal translation of 'with anger' or 'with heat'. However, in French, the correct preposition is almost always 'de'. You suffocate *of* anger (suffoquer de colère) or *of* heat (suffoquer de chaleur). Using 'avec' sounds non-native and clunky. Similarly, when describing the environment, you might 'suffoquer sous la chaleur' (suffocate under the heat), mirroring the English 'under the weight of', but 'de' remains the most common choice for the direct cause of the sensation.

Preposition Pitfall: Always use 'de' for the emotional or physical cause: 'suffoquer de rire', 'suffoquer de honte'. Avoid using 'avec' in these contexts.

Il a failli suffoquer de rire en entendant la blague.

Pronunciation can also be a hurdle. The 'u' in 'suffoquer' must be the French 'u' sound (/y/), produced by shaping your lips for an 'o' but saying 'ee'. Many learners pronounce it like 'oo' (/u/), which can make the word sound like 'souffoquer' (which isn't a word, but sounds like 'souffler' - to blow). Ensure the 'qu' is a hard 'k' sound and the 'e' at the end of the infinitive is a clear 'ay' sound (/e/). Practice the transition from the sharp 'u' to the 'o' to ensure clarity.

Register Errors: Don't use suffoquer for minor inconveniences. It is a 'strong' word. Using it for a slightly warm room might seem overly dramatic unless you are being intentionally hyperbolic.

Ne dites pas que vous suffoquez si vous avez juste un peu chaud.

Finally, remember that 'suffoquer' is a regular -er verb. Some learners mistakenly try to conjugate it like 'finir' or other irregular verbs because of its serious meaning. Stick to the standard -er endings: je suffoque, tu suffoques, il suffoque, nous suffoquons, vous suffoquez, ils suffoquent. In the passé composé, it's always 'j'ai suffoqué', never 'je suis suffoqué' (unless you are using it as an adjective to describe your current state, e.g., 'I am suffocated/shocked').

Conjugation Check: It's a regular -er verb. The stem is 'suffoqu-'. Don't forget the 'u' after the 'q' in all forms to maintain the hard 'k' sound.

Nous suffoquions dans la petite cabine du bateau.

To truly master suffoquer, you must know its neighbors in the French vocabulary. The most important alternative is étouffer. While suffoquer emphasizes the internal struggle for air and the physiological response, étouffer often focuses on the external cause. You 'étouffe' someone with a pillow, but the victim 'suffoque'. However, in common speech, 'étouffer' is much more frequent for general 'choking' (like on food). If you say 'Je m'étouffe !', people will look to help you clear your throat. If you say 'Je suffoque !', they might look to open a window or fan you.

Suffoquer vs. Étouffer: Suffoquer: Intransitive focus on the feeling/gasping. Étouffer: Can be transitive (to smother) or reflexive (to choke on something).

L'humidité nous fait suffoquer, tandis que la fumée nous étouffe.

Another related term is asphyxier. This is a more technical, medical, or scientific term. It refers to the clinical state of oxygen deprivation. You will see this in news reports about industrial accidents or in biology textbooks. While you might 'suffoquer' in a smoky room, the official cause of death would be 'asphyxie'. In a figurative sense, 'asphyxier' is often used in economics: 'Les taxes asphyxient les petites entreprises' (Taxes are asphyxiating small businesses). This implies a slow, systemic cutting off of vital resources.

Suffoquer vs. Asphyxier: Suffoquer: Emotional and physical sensation. Asphyxier: Technical, clinical, or systemic cutting off of air/resources.

Le manque de crédits risque d'asphyxier le projet de recherche.

For the figurative sense of 'shocked', you have several alternatives depending on the intensity. Être sidéré or être médusé are excellent synonyms for the 'breathless with surprise' aspect of suffoquer. 'Sidéré' implies being struck by a metaphorical lightning bolt of shock, while 'médusé' (from Medusa) implies being turned to stone by what you've seen. Suffoquer is more visceral—it's the physical feeling of that shock in your chest. If you want to be more informal, you could say 'être scotché' (to be glued/stuck) or 'en rester sans voix' (to be left speechless).

Physical Alternatives: Haleter: To pant (like a dog or after a run). Être essoufflé: To be out of breath. S'étrangler: To choke (often used with 'de rire').

Après son sprint, il ne suffoquait pas, il haletait simplement.

Finally, when describing an oppressive atmosphere, you can use oppressant or accablant. A 'chaleur accablante' is heat that weighs you down, while a 'chaleur suffocante' is heat that makes it hard to breathe. Choosing between these depends on whether you want to emphasize the weight and exhaustion (accablant) or the respiratory difficulty (suffocant). Mastering these synonyms will allow you to describe environments and reactions with the precision of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The Latin root 'fauces' is also where we get the word 'faucet' (tap) in English, because a tap is like the 'throat' of a pipe. In French, 'fauces' relates to the anatomy of the throat.

发音指南

UK /sy.fɔ.ke/

US /sy.fɔ.ke/

Stress is on the final syllable 'ke'.

押韵词

bloquer choquer évoquer provoquer convoquer révoquer troquer croquer

常见错误

Pronouncing 'u' as 'oo' (/u/) like 'souffoquer'.
Pronouncing 'qu' as 'kw'. It should always be a hard 'k'.
Making the 'o' too long like in 'boat'. It should be short and open.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. It is silent in the infinitive.
Missing the 'u' in the spelling of the stem.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'suffocate'.

写作 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'de' preposition and regular conjugation.

口语 4/5

The French 'u' sound can be tricky for English speakers to master.

听力 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially when discussing weather or emotions.

接下来学什么

前置知识

respirer chaud colère air étouffer

接下来学习

asphyxier indignation canicule sidéré oppressant

高级

haleter défaillir médusé apnée essoufflement

需要掌握的语法

Preposition 'de' with emotional verbs

suffoquer de colère, pleurer de joie, trembler de peur.

Regular -er verb conjugation

Je suffoque, nous suffoquons.

Agreement of the past participle as an adjective

Elle était suffoquée (f.).

Use of 'faire' + infinitive (Causative)

La fumée me fait suffoquer.

Imparfait for descriptive states in the past

L'air était chaud et je suffoquais.

免费注册阅读完整解释

按水平分级的例句

Ouvre la porte, je suffoque !

Open the door, I am suffocating!

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Il fait trop chaud, on suffoque.

It's too hot, we are suffocating.

Use of 'on' as 'we'.

Le bébé suffoque avec ce pull.

The baby is suffocating with this sweater.

Subject-verb agreement.

Je ne peux pas respirer, je suffoque.

I can't breathe, I'm suffocating.

Standard present tense.

Tu suffoques dans cette petite chambre ?

Are you suffocating in this small room?

Question form with intonation.

Ils suffoquent à cause de la fumée.

They are suffocating because of the smoke.

Using 'à cause de' (because of).

Elle suffoque quand il fait humide.

She suffocates when it's humid.

Third person singular.

Nous suffoquons dans la voiture sans clim.

We are suffocating in the car without AC.

Nous ending -ons.

La chaleur est suffocante aujourd'hui.

The heat is suffocating today.

Adjective 'suffocante' matching feminine 'chaleur'.

Il a commencé à suffoquer dans l'ascenseur en panne.

He started to suffocate in the broken elevator.

Passé composé with infinitive.

On suffoque ici, il n'y a pas d'air.

We're suffocating here, there is no air.

Negative 'il n'y a pas de'.

Elle a suffoqué pendant quelques secondes.

She suffocated for a few seconds.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Les plantes suffoquent dans ce pot trop petit.

The plants are suffocating in this too-small pot.

Metaphorical use for plants.

Ne reste pas là, tu vas suffoquer avec cette poussière.

Don't stay there, you're going to suffocate with this dust.

Futur proche (aller + infinitive).

Il suffoque dès qu'il y a du parfum.

He suffocates as soon as there is perfume.

Using 'dès que' (as soon as).

Nous avons suffoqué tout le long du trajet.

We suffocated the whole way.

Passé composé indicating duration.

Elle suffoquait d'indignation en lisant le journal.

She was choking with indignation while reading the newspaper.

Imparfait for continuous emotion.

Le témoin a suffoqué de rage devant le juge.

The witness choked with rage in front of the judge.

Passé composé for a specific event.

Il suffoque de rire à chaque fois qu'il voit ce film.

He chokes with laughter every time he sees this movie.

Idiomatic use of 'suffoquer de'.

J'ai été suffoqué par la beauté du paysage.

I was breathless/staggered by the beauty of the landscape.

Passive voice used figuratively.

L'air de la mine faisait suffoquer les ouvriers.

The mine air was making the workers suffocate.

Causative structure (faire + infinitive).

Elle suffoque sous le poids de ses responsabilités.

She is suffocating under the weight of her responsibilities.

Figurative use with 'sous le poids de'.

Il suffoque de honte après son erreur.

He is choking with shame after his mistake.

Emotion-based usage.

La foule suffoquait dans l'étroite rue de Paris.

The crowd was suffocating in the narrow street of Paris.

Imparfait for description.

La bureaucratie excessive finit par suffoquer l'innovation.

Excessive bureaucracy ends up suffocating innovation.

Transitive use with abstract subject.

Il a été suffoqué par l'audace de sa réponse.

He was staggered by the boldness of her answer.

Passive voice for intense emotional shock.

Les citadins suffoquent lors des pics de pollution.

City dwellers suffocate during pollution peaks.

General truth in present tense.

Cette relation toxique me fait suffoquer.

This toxic relationship is making me suffocate.

Figurative causative structure.

L'odeur des produits chimiques le faisait suffoquer.

The smell of the chemicals was making him suffocate.

Subject is a sensation.

Elle suffoquait dans ce milieu social trop rigide.

She was suffocating in this too-rigid social environment.

Social metaphorical use.

Le patient suffoque, préparez l'oxygène !

The patient is suffocating, prepare the oxygen!

Imperative following the verb.

J'ai suffoqué quand j'ai vu le montant de la facture.

I gasped/suffocated when I saw the bill amount.

Sudden shock in passé composé.

Le texte de Zola décrit des mineurs qui suffoquent dans les galeries.

Zola's text describes miners suffocating in the galleries.

Literary context.

Il suffoque d'une indignation qu'il ne peut plus contenir.

He is choking with an indignation he can no longer contain.

Relative clause 'qu'il ne peut plus contenir'.

La ville semble suffoquer sous une chape de plomb.

The city seems to be suffocating under a leaden cover (heavy atmosphere).

Idiomatic 'chape de plomb'.

Elle a été suffoquée par la morgue de son interlocuteur.

She was staggered by the arrogance of her interlocutor.

Advanced vocabulary 'morgue'.

Le manque de liberté finit toujours par faire suffoquer un peuple.

A lack of freedom always ends up making a people suffocate.

Philosophical/Political usage.

L'acteur a parfaitement mimé l'homme qui suffoque.

The actor perfectly mimicked the man suffocating.

Present participle as a noun/adjective.

Ce silence pesant me fait suffoquer plus que le bruit.

This heavy silence makes me suffocate more than the noise.

Comparative structure.

Ils suffoquaient dans l'étroitesse de leurs préjugés.

They were suffocating in the narrowness of their prejudices.

Abstract metaphorical use.

L'œuvre explore cette sensation de suffoquer face à l'absurdité de l'existence.

The work explores this sensation of suffocating in the face of the absurdity of existence.

Existentialist context.

On suffoque devant tant de mauvaise foi et de cynisme.

One chokes before so much bad faith and cynicism.

Use of 'devant tant de'.

Le poète évoque une âme qui suffoque dans un corps trop étroit.

The poet evokes a soul suffocating in a body that is too narrow.

Metaphorical/Poetic usage.

La structure même du récit semble suffoquer le lecteur par son opacité.

The very structure of the narrative seems to suffocate the reader with its opacity.

Literary criticism context.

Il suffoquait, non de peur, mais d'une sorte de ravissement mystique.

He was suffocating, not from fear, but from a kind of mystical rapture.

Nuanced 'non de... mais de...' construction.

La forêt primaire semble suffoquer sous sa propre luxuriance.

The primary forest seems to suffocate under its own luxuriance.

Descriptive nature usage.

Elle a suffoqué une seconde avant de retrouver son aplomb.

She gasped for a second before regaining her composure.

Advanced vocabulary 'aplomb'.

Le système financier risque de suffoquer par manque de liquidités.

The financial system risks suffocating due to a lack of liquidity.

Economic metaphor.

常见搭配

suffoquer de colère

suffoquer d'indignation

suffoquer de rire

chaleur suffocante

faire suffoquer

suffoquer sous le poids

commencer à suffoquer

être suffoqué par

suffoquer de rage

air suffocant

常用短语

Je suffoque !

— I'm suffocating! Used to express that a room is too hot or the air is bad.

Ouvrez les fenêtres, je suffoque !

C'est suffoquant.

— It's suffocating/staggering. Can refer to weather or a shocking situation.

Quelle chaleur ! C'est suffoquant.

À en suffoquer.

— To the point of suffocating. Used to emphasize intensity.

Il a ri à en suffoquer.

Suffoquer de honte.

— To be extremely ashamed, as if you can't breathe.

Elle suffoquait de honte après son erreur en public.

L'air est suffocant.

— The air is unbreathable/stifling.

Dans cette usine, l'air est suffocant.

Être au bord de suffoquer.

— To be on the verge of suffocating.

Après trois minutes sous l'eau, il était au bord de suffoquer.

La canicule nous fait suffoquer.

— The heatwave is making us suffocate.

En juillet, la canicule nous fait suffoquer en ville.

Suffoquer de douleur.

— To be in so much pain that breathing becomes difficult.

Il suffoquait de douleur après sa chute.

Une atmosphère suffocante.

— A stifling atmosphere, either physically or socially.

Il régnait une atmosphère suffocante dans ce bureau.

Suffoquer de surprise.

— To be so surprised that you gasp.

Elle a suffoqué de surprise en le voyant entrer.

容易混淆的词

suffoquer vs souffler

Souffler means to blow or to breathe out; suffoquer means to struggle for air.

suffoquer vs étouffer

Étouffer is more for physical choking or smothering; suffoquer is for the sensation of gasping.

suffoquer vs asphyxier

Asphyxier is a technical/medical term for oxygen loss.

习语与表达

"Suffoquer d'indignation"

— To be so outraged that it physically affects your breathing; a very common way to express extreme moral shock.

Le public a suffoqué d'indignation face à la décision de l'arbitre.

neutral/formal

"En rester suffoqué"

— To be left speechless or staggered by something.

J'en suis resté suffoqué, je ne savais plus quoi dire.

neutral

"Suffoquer de rire"

— To laugh so hard you can't breathe.

Sa blague était si drôle qu'on a suffoqué de rire.

informal/neutral

"Une beauté suffocante"

— A breathtaking beauty.

Elle est d'une beauté suffocante dans cette robe.

literary

"Suffoquer sous les fleurs"

— To be overwhelmed with praise or attention (less common, usually metaphorical).

L'artiste a fini par suffoquer sous les fleurs de la critique.

literary

"Le cœur qui suffoque"

— The heart feeling tight or overwhelmed by emotion.

Il sentait son cœur qui suffoquait de tristesse.

literary/poetic

"Suffoquer de rage"

— To be speechless with fury.

Il suffoque de rage mais garde le silence.

neutral

"Une ville qui suffoque"

— A city paralyzed by heat or pollution.

Paris suffoque sous un dôme de pollution.

journalistic

"Faire suffoquer la vérité"

— To suppress or stifle the truth.

Ils ont tout fait pour faire suffoquer la vérité.

formal/figurative

"Suffoquer de dégoût"

— To be so disgusted that it causes a physical gagging/suffocating sensation.

Elle suffoquait de dégoût en voyant l'état de la cuisine.

neutral

容易混淆

suffoquer vs étouffer

Both translate to 'choke' or 'suffocate'.

Étouffer is often transitive (to smother) or reflexive for choking on food. Suffoquer is more about the physiological struggle for air in a hot or smoky environment, or an emotional reaction.

Il s'étouffe avec un noyau (food), mais il suffoque dans la fumée (environment).

suffoquer vs haleter

Both involve heavy breathing.

Haleter is panting after exercise (like a dog). Suffoquer is struggling for air because it's missing or because of a shock.

Le chien halète après la course, mais l'homme suffoque dans l'incendie.

suffoquer vs souffler

Similar sound.

Souffler is to blow (like candles) or to take a rest. Suffoquer is the opposite: the inability to breathe properly.

Souffle tes bougies ! vs. Je suffoque, ouvre la fenêtre !

suffoquer vs asphyxier

Scientific synonyms.

Asphyxier is the medical result. Suffoquer is the felt experience. You suffoque while you are being asphyxié.

Le gaz l'a asphyxié, mais il a suffoqué pendant de longues minutes.

suffoquer vs étrangler

Physical choking.

Étrangler is the act of putting hands or a rope around a neck. Suffoquer is the internal feeling of not getting air.

L'agresseur l'a étranglé, ce qui l'a fait suffoquer.

句型

Je suffoque + [lieu]

Je suffoque dans cette chambre.

Il fait + [adj] + on suffoque

Il fait trop chaud, on suffoque.

Suffoquer de + [émotion]

Il suffoque de rage.

Être suffoqué par + [nom]

J'ai été suffoqué par sa réponse.

[Sujet abstrait] + suffoque + [objet]

Le silence suffoque la conversation.

À en suffoquer

Une atmosphère lourde à en suffoquer.

Faire suffoquer + [quelqu'un]

Cette odeur me fait suffoquer.

Se sentir suffoqué sous + [nom]

Elle se sentait suffoquée sous la pression.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Common in summer and in dramatic/emotional discussions.

常见错误

Using 'avec' for the cause. → Suffoquer DE colère.
In French, we use 'de' to indicate the source of a physiological or emotional reaction.
Pronouncing the 'u' like 'oo'. → /sy.fɔ.ke/
The 'u' sound is crucial. Pronouncing it like 'oo' changes the word's profile.
Using it for choking on food. → S'étouffer avec de la nourriture.
While 'suffoquer' can be understood, 's'étouffer' is the correct term for an object blocking the airway.
Thinking it only means physical death. → Using it for shock or heat.
Suffoquer is very common for non-lethal situations like feeling too hot or being very surprised.
Using 'suffoquer' as a noun. → La suffocation.
Suffoquer is the verb; the noun is 'la suffocation'.

小贴士

Use for Heat

When the temperature is over 30°C in France, use 'on suffoque' to complain effectively. It's more descriptive than 'il fait chaud'.

The 'DE' Rule

Always remember 'suffoquer DE [emotion]'. Using 'avec' is a common mistake for English speakers.

The French 'U'

Practice the 'u' sound in 'suffoquer'. Round your lips like you're going to whistle, but try to say 'eee'.

Suffoquer vs Étouffer

Use 'suffoquer' for the feeling and 'étouffer' for the action. You 'étouffes' a fire, but you 'suffoques' in the smoke.

Literary Flair

In essays, use 'suffoquer' to describe social pressure or a lack of freedom to sound more advanced.

Exclamations

Try saying 'C'est suffoquant !' when you hear about a scandalous political decision.

News Keywords

Listen for this word during 'la météo' (the weather forecast) in the summer months.

Indignation

Embrace the French love for indignation by using 'je suffoque d'indignation' when appropriate.

Visual Link

Visualize a scarf (écharpe) being too tight to help you remember the 'throat' root of the word.

Metro Survival

In the Paris Metro, 'on suffoque' is the standard phrase for the lack of air in the summer.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a 'SUFfocating' 'FOque' (seal) on a hot beach. 'SUF-FO-QUER'. It sounds almost like the English 'suffocate', making it easier to remember the core meaning.

视觉联想

Imagine someone in a very tight French scarf (une écharpe) gasping 'Je suffoque !' because it's too tight.

Word Web

Air Respirer Chaleur Colère Gorge Fumée Choc Poitrine

挑战

Try to use 'suffoquer' in three different ways today: once about the weather, once about a funny video, and once about a surprising news story.

词源

From the Latin verb 'suffocare', which is a compound of 'sub' (under) and 'fauces' (throat). Literally, it means to put something under the throat or to seize by the throat.

原始含义： To strangle or choke by applying pressure to the throat.

Romance (Latin root)

文化背景

Be careful when using it in medical contexts; ensure clarity if there is a real emergency versus just feeling hot.

English speakers use 'suffocate' mostly for physical death or very serious relationships. French speakers use 'suffoquer' much more lightly for heat or common shocks.

Émile Zola's 'Germinal' (descriptions of miners suffocating). The 'Canicule' news reports of 2003 and 2019. French medical dramas like 'Hippocrate'.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Weather and Climate

chaleur suffocante
on suffoque sous le soleil
air irrespirable
pic de chaleur

Emotional Reactions

suffoquer d'indignation
suffoquer de rire
être suffoqué par une nouvelle
en rester suffoqué

Physical Health/Emergency

difficulté à respirer
le patient suffoque
manque d'oxygène
suffocation par la fumée

Literature and Drama

atmosphère suffocante
suffoquer sous le poids des conventions
un cri suffoqué
une passion suffocante

Social/Work Environment

se sentir suffoqué au bureau
la bureaucratie nous suffoque
manquer d'air (figurative)
pression suffocante

对话开场白

"Est-ce que tu trouves qu'il fait une chaleur suffocante aujourd'hui ?"

"As-tu déjà suffoqué de rire à cause d'une vidéo sur Internet ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te fait suffoquer d'indignation dans l'actualité ?"

"Te sens-tu parfois suffoqué par trop de travail ?"

"Est-ce qu'on suffoque dans le métro aux heures de pointe ?"

日记主题

Décrivez un moment où vous avez suffoqué de rire avec des amis.

Racontez une expérience où la chaleur était si forte que vous avez commencé à suffoquer.

Y a-t-il une situation injuste qui vous a fait suffoquer d'indignation récemment ?

Imaginez une pièce sans fenêtres. Comment décririez-vous la sensation de suffoquer ?

Pensez-vous que la vie moderne nous fait parfois suffoquer par son rythme ?

常见问题

10 个问题

Yes, it is a regular -er verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'parler'. For example: je suffoque, tu suffoques, il suffoque, nous suffoquons, vous suffoquez, ils suffoquent.

It is better to use 's'étouffer' for choking on food. 'Suffoquer' is more for environmental factors (heat, smoke) or intense emotional reactions (shock, anger).

Étouffer often implies an external cause (smothering, food, a pillow) or muffling a sound. Suffoquer focuses on the person's physical struggle to breathe and their gasping sensation.

You can say 'Je suffoque de rire' or 'Je m'étouffe de rire'. Both are common, but 'suffoquer' emphasizes the gasping for air.

Yes, it can. For example: 'La chaleur suffoque les passagers'. This means the heat is making the passengers suffocate.

The preposition is 'de'. Example: 'suffoquer de colère', 'suffoquer d'indignation', 'suffoquer de rage'.

Yes, 'suffocant' is the adjective form. It means 'suffocating' or 'stifling'. Example: 'une chaleur suffocante'.

Yes, 'être suffoqué' is a common way to say you are staggered or speechless with shock. Example: 'J'ai été suffoqué par ses paroles'.

Yes, doctors use it to describe patients in respiratory distress. It is a serious word in a medical setting.

No, it often just means you are having a very hard time breathing or you are extremely uncomfortable due to heat or emotion.

免费注册查看提示和笔记