Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| rougir | /ʁu.ʒiʁ/ |
| s'empourprer | |
| cramoisir | |
| piquer un fard | /pi.ke œ̃ faʁ/ |
The verb rougir is used to describe both the physical act of the face reddening and the metaphorical feeling of being embarrassed or ashamed. The related noun rougeur refers to the actual redness of the skin or the state of blushing.
Which one should you use?
While rougir is the standard word for blushing, s'empourprer is a literary term used to describe a much more intense, deep red or purple reddening of the face. The phrase virer au rouge is an informal way to say 'to turn red'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Rougir is the standard term. S'empourprer is used in literary contexts, while virer au rouge is informal. In the context of cosmetics, the English loanword blush is commonly used in French to refer to blush or rouge, alongside terms like fard or fard à joues.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁu.ʒiʁ/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The verb piquer in the expression piquer un fard originally meant 'to pierce with the tip of a sword' before being used to describe the 'sting' of color on the face.
- The idiomatic expression piquer un fard literally translates to 'to sting/prick a make-up'. It evokes the sensation of a sudden, sharp prick of color on the cheeks.
Examples in context
- Tu me fais rougir.You're making me blush.This sentence shows how someone can cause another person to blush using rougir.Tatoeba #1763200 by sacredceltic, translation #1750138 by Spamster
- Tu l'as fait rougir.You made him blush.This sentence demonstrates the use of rougir in the past tense.Tatoeba #11576553 by Aiji, translation #2947840 by Hybrid
- Ne me fais pas rougir.Don't make me blush.This sentence uses rougir in a request to not be made to blush.Tatoeba #5659454 by Yemana, translation #3514990 by CK
- Elle rougit facilement lorsqu'on la complimente.She blushes easily when she's complimented.
- La situation l'a rendu embarrassé et il a commencé à rougir.The situation made him embarrassed, and he started to blush.
- Il a viré au rouge quand il a vu son crush.He turned red when he saw his crush.
- Elle a les joues toutes roses lorsque quelqu'un lui fait un compliment.She has rosy cheeks when someone compliments her.
- Quand elle reçoit un compliment, elle a tendance à rougir.When she receives a compliment, she tends to blush.
- Face à la surprise, il a viré au rouge sans pouvoir se contrôler.Faced with the surprise, he turned red without being able to control it.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are talking about a compliment someone gave them.
- LéaPourquoi est-ce que tu commences à rougir ?Why are you starting to blush?
- HugoC'est parce que ton compliment m'a touché.It's because your compliment touched me.
- LéaJe ne voulais pas te faire rougir, Hugo.I didn't want to make you blush, Hugo.
- HugoCe n'est pas grave, c'est gentil.It's okay, it's kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blush” translations and entries rougir, piquer un fard, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fard, piquer, piquer un fard, rougir, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
