encombré
The English word "congested" can be translated to French as encombré.
encombré is used to describe a place or area that is blocked or crowded with too many things or people.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, encombré means being cluttered, obstructed or filled with obstacles.
Which one should you use?
While encombré can describe any cluttered space, the term embouteillé is used specifically when referring to traffic congestion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective encombré must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. It takes the form encombrée for feminine singular nouns, encombrés for masculine plural nouns and encombrées for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- The French word for a traffic jam, embouteillage, comes from the verb bouteiller, which means 'to bottle'.
- In a medical context, a 'congested' nose is not called encombré but is described as congestionné or bouché, which means 'plugged'.
- In Quebec, you are more likely to hear congestionné used to describe traffic. In France, the more common term for a traffic jam is embouteillage.
Examples in context
- Les routes sont encombrées ici.The roads here are congested.The sentence is useful for saying that roads are congested using encombré.Tatoeba #11382108 by Aiji, translation #1556484 by brymck
- La route était encombrée de voitures.The road was congested with cars.The sentence is useful for saying that a road was congested with cars using encombré.Tatoeba #236560 by hortusdei, translation #10250659 by bekindtoall
- La route est congestionnée pendant les heures de pointe.The road is congested during rush hour.
- Le marché est encombré de touristes.The market is congested with tourists.
- La ville est embouteillée en raison de travaux sur la route.The city is congested due to roadwork.
- Le métro est bondé aux heures de pointe.The subway is crowded during rush hour.
- Le couloir est encombré de cartons.The hallway is cluttered with boxes.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are checking the state of their new apartment's entrance.
- GabrielL'entrée est un peu encombrée, non ?The entrance is a bit cluttered, isn't it?
- EmmaOui, on ne peut plus circuler.Yes, we can't even move around.
- GabrielJe vais ranger ces meubles.I will tidy up these pieces of furniture.
- EmmaD'accord, je t'aide.Okay, I will help you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
