adverbinterjection
doucement
softly · gently
D’une manière lente et sans brusquerie, avec calme et délicatesse.
Meaning (in English)
Doucement is an adverb that generally means:
-
Gently / softly
- Doing something in a calm, delicate, non-violent way.
- Parle doucement = “Speak softly.”
-
Slowly / gradually
- Doing something at a slow pace or in a progressive way.
- Avance doucement = “Move forward slowly.”
-
Quietly / calmly / without rushing (often as advice or a warning)
- Similar to “Easy!” / “Take it easy!” depending on context.
- Doucement ! can mean “Careful!” or “Easy now!”
Parts / Formation
- Built from the adjective doux (masculine) / douce (feminine), meaning soft, gentle, mild
- Plus the common adverb ending -ment (“-ly” in English)
- doux → doucement (“gently/softly”)
French Synonyms
Depending on meaning:
- lentement (slowly)
- tranquillement (calmly, peacefully)
- calmement (calmly)
- posément (steadily, in a composed way)
- délicatement (delicately)
- avec douceur (gently; “with gentleness”)
French Antonyms
Depending on meaning:
- rapidement (quickly)
- vite (fast)
- brusquement (abruptly, roughly)
- violemment (violently)
- bruyamment (loudly) (opposite of “softly”)
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Examples
Elle marche doucement pour ne pas faire de bruit.adverb
She walks softly to avoid making noise.
Le vent souffle doucement ce matin.adverb
The wind is blowing gently this morning.
Le chat saute doucement sur le canapé.adverb
The cat jumps gently onto the couch.
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