verb

bourrer

overstuff

Remplir quelque chose de manière excessive ou tasser fortement une matière dans un espace.

The French verb "bourrer" has the primary meaning of "to stuff" or "to fill." It can refer to filling something with a material, food, or even abstract concepts like information.

Here are some common contexts for the usage of "bourrer":

  1. Filling Objects: For instance, one can "bourrer" a bag with clothes or stuffing a mattress.
  2. Food Preparation: In cooking, it might refer to stuffing food, like a chicken with some filling.
  3. Informal Usage: Colloquially, it can also mean to " cram" information into one’s head, as in studying for an exam ("bourrer les connaissances").
  4. Slang: In slang terms, it can also imply to overindulge in alcohol.

Differences with synonyms:

  • Remplir: This is a more formal term for "to fill" and can be used in various contexts, like filling a glass with water. While "remplir" is neutral and appropriate for any setting, "bourrer" carries a more informal or even vulgar sense depending on the context.

  • Farcir: Specifically relates to stuffing in a culinary context, particularly used for meat or dishes that involve food stuffing. While "bourrer" can also refer to this, "farcir" is more targeted in its usage.

In summary, while "bourrer" generally means to stuff, it's important to consider the context when choosing it over synonyms like "remplir" or "farcir," due to differences in tone and formality.

Make “bourrer” part of your vocabulary.

Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Examples

Il ne faut pas trop bourrer le sac.verb

You shouldn't overstuff the bag.

Keep exploring French

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).