soudain
suddenly · sudden
Qui arrive très vite, sans prévenir.
The word "soudain" in French means "sudden" or "unexpected." It is used to describe something that happens unexpectedly or without warning.
Synonyms and differences:
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Brusquement: This means "abruptly" or "suddenly" and emphasizes a quick, often jarring change, often in action or movement. It can carry a negative connotation.
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Subit: This translates to "abrupt" or "sudden" as well, and is often used in a more formal context. It has a similar meaning to "soudain," but is used less frequently in everyday speech.
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Imprévu: Meaning "unforeseen" or "unpredicted," it focuses more on the unpredictability aspect rather than the immediate quality that "soudain" conveys.
In summary, while "soudain" implies an unexpected occurrence, synonyms like "brusquement" emphasize the abruptness or impact, "subit" carries a formal tone, and "imprévu" highlights unpredictability rather than timing.
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Examples
Soudain, la lumière s'est éteinte dans la pièce.adverb
Suddenly, the light went out in the room.
Soudain, tout devint silencieux.adverb
Suddenly, everything became silent.
Un bruit soudain m'a réveillé.adjective
A sudden noise woke me up.
Elle a eu une peur soudaine quand la porte a claqué.adjective
She had a sudden fear when the door slammed.
Soudain, il a commencé à pleuvoir très fort.adverb
Suddenly, it started to rain very hard.
Soudain, les enfants ont couru vers le jardin.adverb
Suddenly, the children ran toward the garden.
Soudain, le chat a sauté sur la table.adverb
Suddenly, the cat jumped onto the table.
Le chien s’est soudain mis à aboyer.adverb
The dog suddenly started barking.
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