avalanche
/a.va.lɑ̃ʃ/feminine
The French word for "avalanche" is avalanche.
avalanche refers to a large sliding mass of snow and ice. It can also be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming number of things, such as an avalanche of criticism.
Meaning: large sliding mass of snow and ice (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine. Therefore, it is preceded by the feminine article une (an/a) or can be paired with feminine adjectives like grande.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.va.lɑ̃ʃ/
Did you know?
- The French word avalanche shares its root with the English word 'lapse', as both originate from the Latin word lābor meaning 'to slip' or 'slide'.
- In French, avalanche can be used as a verb avalancher to describe the act of piling things up rapidly or sliding down in a mass.
Examples in context
- Il a été tué dans l'avalanche.He was killed in the avalanche.This sentence is useful for describing someone being killed in the avalanche.Tatoeba #8409859 by lbdx, translation #1817380 by Amastan
- Il a été enseveli par une avalanche.He was buried by an avalanche.This sentence is useful for describing someone being buried by the avalanche.Tatoeba #7092674 by Micsmithel, translation #12438861 by sundown
- Il y a eu une avalanche de protestations.There was an avalanche of protest.This sentence shows how the word can be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming number of things using avalanche.Tatoeba #4895963 by sacredceltic, translation #9435449 by sundown
- Le guide de montagne a signalé une avalanche.The mountain guide reported an avalanche.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two skiers are talking near a mountain pass.
- ManonEst-ce que tu as vu l'avalanche ?Did you see the avalanche?
- HugoOui, elle est impressionnante.Yes, it is impressive.
- ManonL'avalanche a dû être dangereuse.The avalanche must have been dangerous.
- HugoHeureusement, personne n'est blessé.Luckily, no one is hurt.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “avalanche” translations and entries avalanche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avalanche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
