fleur épanouie
The English phrase 'blooming flower' is translated into French as fleur épanouie.
This phrase refers to a flower that has fully opened its petals. The adjective épanouie can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is blooming or fulfilled in a psychological or social sense.
What does it mean word for word?
fleur means 'flower' and épanouie is the past participle of épanouir, which means 'to blossom' or 'to unfold'.
Which one should you use?
While fleur épanouie describes a flower that has opened, you may also use fleur qui éclot to mean 'blooming flower' and the formal expression Fleur en pleine floraison to mean 'flower in full bloom'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective épanouie must agree in gender and number with the noun fleur. To express the plural 'blooming flowers', both the noun and the adjective take an 's' to become fleurs épanouies.
Did you know?
- While fleur refers to a blossom, the Middle French word fleur also described the top layer of a liquid or a surface, which is related to the Proto-Germanic word for 'floor'.
- The French language uses the concept of 'unfolding' épanouir for blooming, whereas English often uses 'blooming' to refer to the color or the act of producing flowers.
- In French, describing a person as épanouie implies they have 'unfolded' their potential, much like the petals of a flower.
Examples in context
- L'exposition florale présente de magnifiques fleurs en pleine floraison.The floral exhibition presents magnificent flowers in full bloom.
- Cette fleur épanouie sent très bon.This blooming flower smells very good.
- J'aime admirer une fleur épanouie dans le jardin.I love to admire a blooming flower in the garden.
- Regarde cette belle fleur épanouie sur la table.Look at this beautiful blooming flower on the table.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are walking through a botanical garden.
- GabrielRegarde cette fleur épanouie, Emma.Look at this blooming flower, Emma.
- EmmaElle est vraiment magnifique, Gabriel.It is truly magnificent, Gabriel.
- GabrielLe jardin est parfait aujourd'hui.The garden is perfect today.
- EmmaOui, c'est un moment merveilleux.Yes, it is a wonderful moment.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fleur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
