glaçant
The English phrase "chilling" can be translated into French as glaçant.
The word is used as an adjective to describe something that causes a mild fear.
Meaning: causing mild fear (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is derived from the verb glacer, which means "to freeze".
Which one should you use?
While effrayant is a general term for something that is simply "scary", glaçant specifically implies a chilling sensation that freezes one's blood.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, glaçant must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use glaçante for feminine nouns, glaçants for masculine plural nouns and glaçantes for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- In French culinary terms, glacé refers to something that is iced or glazed, showing how the same root moves from terror to confectionery.
- When describing a 'chilling' silence, French speakers often use un silence de mort, meaning a 'silence of death', to heighten the intensity beyond just being 'cold'.
- The adjective glaçant can be used to describe a person's tone of voice, implying that their lack of emotion is 'chilling' or unsettlingly cold.
Examples in context
- Après une longue journée de travail intense, j'aime me détendre avec un bon livre.After a long day of intense work, I like to relax with a good book.
- Ce film est vraiment glaçant.This movie is truly chilling.
- Son regard était glaçant.His gaze was chilling.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are discussing a true crime documentary they just finished.
- EmmaL'histoire de ce crime est glaçante.The story of this crime is chilling.
- GabrielOui, j'ai eu des frissons.Yes, I had chills.
- EmmaGabriel, tu as peur ?Gabriel, are you scared?
- GabrielUn peu, c'est très effrayant.A little, it is very scary.
