à couper le souffle
/a ku.pe l(ə) sufl/
The English phrase breathtaking can be translated into French as à couper le souffle or époustouflant.
Meaning: stunningly beautiful (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| à couper le souffle | /a ku.pe l(ə) sufl/ | |
| époustouflant | /e.pus.tu.flɑ̃/ | masculine |
Both terms describe something breathtaking or stunningly beautiful. À couper le souffle is more frequently used when describing visual beauty or scenery. In contrast, époustouflant is often used to describe an impressive performance, a feat or a sudden, overwhelming sensation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase à couper le souffle literally translates to to cut the breath.
Which one should you use?
À couper le souffle is an adjectival phrase that remains invariable, whereas époustouflant is a standard adjective that changes gender and number.
Did you know?
- In French, souffler can also mean to whisper a hint or an answer to someone, such as a student cheating during a test.
- The root of couper might be linked to the idea of a 'blow' or 'strike' (from the word coup), implying that breathtaking beauty hits you with the force of an impact.
- Unlike most French adjectives, the phrase à couper le souffle never changes its form to match the gender or number of the person or object it describes.
Examples in context
- Tu es à couper le souffle.You're breathtaking.This sentence is useful for saying you are breathtaking to a singular person.Tatoeba #12268402 by Orange, translation #12268404 by Orange
- Elle est à couper le souffle.She's breathtaking.This sentence is useful for saying she is breathtaking.Tatoeba #12268403 by Orange, translation #8409364 by Amastan
- Vous êtes à couper le souffle.You are breathtaking.This sentence is useful for saying you are breathtaking to more than one person or using a formal address.Tatoeba #12268399 by Orange, translation #12268405 by Orange
- La vue depuis la montagne est époustouflanteThe view from the mountain is breathtaking
- Son talent musical est vraiment impressionnantHis musical talent is truly breathtaking
- Le coucher de soleil était tout simplement sublimeThe sunset was simply breathtaking
- Son numéro de magie était bluffantHis magic trick was breathtaking
- Le spectacle était renversantThe show was breathtaking
- un paysage à couper le souffleA breathtaking landscape
- un spectacle époustouflantA mind-blowing show
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are standing on a balcony overlooking the Alps.
- LéaCette vue est à couper le souffle !This view is breathtaking!
- NathanOui, c'est vraiment magnifique, Léa.Yes, it is truly magnificent, Léa.
- LéaJe n'ai jamais rien vu de tel.I have never seen anything like it.
- NathanC'est un moment inoubliable.It is an unforgettable moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breathtaking” translations and entries à couper le souffle, époustouflant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couper, le, souffle, à, à couper le souffle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
