verbverb

souffler

blow

C’est faire sortir de l’air par la bouche, souvent pour refroidir ou déplacer quelque chose.

The French verb "souffler" primarily means "to blow" or "to breathe out." It has several related uses:

To blow air: Like wind blowing or blowing out a candle.
- Example: Il a soufflé les bougies. (He blew out the candles.)
To breathe gently or exhale: Referring to the act of breathing or panting.
- Example: Elle soufflait fort après la course. (She was breathing hard after the race.)
To whisper or give a hint: Used in informal contexts when someone quietly gives information.
- Example: Il m’a soufflé la réponse. (He whispered the answer to me.)
To rest or take a break: Colloquially, "souffler" means to pause and catch your breath.
- Example: Je dois souffler un peu avant de continuer. (I need to catch my breath before continuing.)

Synonyms and differences:

Souffler vs. Respirer: Both involve air and breathing. "Souffler" specifically means to blow air out actively, whereas "respirer" means simply to breathe in and out.
Souffler vs. Chuchoter: "Souffler" can mean "to whisper" but literally "chuchoter" is to whisper or speak softly; "souffler" suggests a very low volume or discreetly telling something.
Souffler vs. Ventiler: "Ventiler" means to ventilate or circulate air, usually mechanically or in a technical sense, while "souffler" is more general and about blowing air.

In summary, "souffler" involves blowing air (literally or figuratively), whispering, or resting, with usage varying by context.