gouffre
/ɡufʁ/masculine
The English word chasm can be translated into French as gouffre. Wiktionary also lists chasme.
Meaning: gap (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gouffre | /ɡufʁ/ | masculine |
| chasme | feminine |
The term gouffre refers to a chasm, abyss or pit. Like in English, it can be used metaphorically to describe a vast difference or a gap between two things, such as social classes or opinions.
Which one should you use?
The word gouffre is a masculine noun, while the archaic or poetic form chasme is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡufʁ/
Did you know?
- In French, gouffre can be used to describe a person's appetite. Someone who eats enormous quantities of food is sometimes jokingly described as a gouffre.
- The word gouffre shares its ancient root with the Greek kólpos, which originally referred to a bay or a hollow of the body. This suggests a linguistic evolution from a gentle curve to a deep pit.
- In French, the word gouffre is often used in financial contexts to describe an 'unfathomable pit' of debt or a 'money pit'.
Examples in context
- Quelle est la profondeur de ce gouffre ?How deep is that chasm?This sentence is useful for asking about the depth of a gouffre.Tatoeba #12981210 by lbdx, translation #10725948 by AlanF_US
- Les pupilles de ses yeux avaient la noirceur d'un gouffre profond.The pupils of her eyes had the blackness of a deep chasm.This sentence is useful for describing the blackness of eyes using gouffre.Tatoeba #2789121 by carlosalberto, translation #2789128 by carlosalberto
- un fossé infranchissableAn impassable chasm
- un gouffre insurmontableAn insurmountable chasm
- un abîme les sépareA chasm separates them
- un gouffre les unitA chasm unites them
- Le randonneur a évité le gouffre.The hiker avoided the chasm.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are hiking near a canyon.
- ChloéRegarde ce gouffre !Look at that chasm!
- NathanC'est vraiment impressionnant.It is truly impressive.
- ChloéOn ne peut pas le traverser.We cannot cross it.
- NathanJe suis d'accord, Chloé.I agree, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chasm” translations and entries gouffre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gouffre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
