fissure
/fi.syʁ/
The French word for 'crack' (to break apart under pressure) is fissure.
fissure is used to denote a crack in a physical object or a split in the ground. If you wish to describe an object that is currently cracked, you would use the adjective fissuré.
Meaning: to break apart under pressure (verb)
Which one should you use?
While fissure refers to the physical opening or gap itself, the word craquement refers to the sharp sound made when something breaks. Additionally, if you are describing a crack or break in an abstract concept, the term fracture is used. For a narrow crack or a slit, use fente.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fi.syʁ/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the expression faire craquer can mean to make someone fall head over heels in love, moving beyond the literal sense of breaking.
- If you are describing a crack in a person's character or an emotional wound, a French speaker will often use fêlure instead of a physical term.
- The term fente is used for a crack that is an intentional opening, such as a coin slot, whereas fissure always implies an accidental or damaging break.
Examples in context
- Il y a une fissure dans ce bol.There's a crack in this bowl.This sentence shows how to identify a fissure in an object.Tatoeba #10215864 by lbdx, translation #9459744 by CK
- L'essence s'échappait d'une fissure dans le tube.Gas was escaping from a crack in the pipe.This sentence demonstrates the use of fissure regarding a leak in a pipe.Tatoeba #1260441 by sacredceltic, translation #35520 by spockofvulcan
- Il y a une fracture dans notre relationThere is a crack in our relationship
- En me promenant au parc, j'ai trébuché et j'ai pété l'écran de mon téléphone.While walking in the park, I stumbled and cracked my phone screen.
- Nous avons découvert une grande fissure dans le mur de notre nouvelle maison.We discovered a large crack in the wall of our new house.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are looking at an old stone wall.
- GabrielRegarde, le mur commence à se fissure ici.Look, the wall is starting to crack here.
- ChloéC'est grave, on doit appeler un expert.That's serious, we need to call an expert.
- GabrielEst-ce que ça peut s'effondrer ?Could it collapse?
- ChloéOui, si la structure continue de se fissure.Yes, if the structure continues to crack.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fissure, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
