suspense
/sys.pɑ̃s/
The French word for the narratological term cliffhanger is suspense.
In the context of narratology, suspense refers to an ending or a stopping point in a story.
Meaning: (narratology) an ending or stopping point (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /sys.pɑ̃s/.
Did you know?
- The French word suspense is actually a loanword from English, even though it is a 'doublet' of the native French word suspens.
- While English uses 'cliffhanger' to describe a dramatic stopping point, the French equivalent suspense describes the psychological state of the audience rather than the structural device itself.
- In French, suspense can be used as a noun to describe the feeling of tension, but the phrase en suspens describes something left undecided or hanging in the air.
Examples in context
- Le dernier épisode de la série se termine sur un suspense insoutenable.The last episode of the series ends on an unbearable cliffhanger.
- La fin de la saison est un vrai suspense.The end of the season is a real cliffhanger.
- Je déteste ce suspense à la fin de l'épisode.I hate this cliffhanger at the end of the episode.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing a TV series they just watched.
- NathanTu as vu la fin de la saison ?Did you see the end of the season?
- LéaOui, c'est un suspense total !Yes, it's a total cliffhanger!
- NathanJe ne peux pas attendre la suite.I can't wait for what happens next.
- LéaMoi non plus, Nathan.Me neither, Nathan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry suspense, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries suspense, CC BY-SA 4.0.
