grande inspiration
The English phrase 'deep breath' can be translated into French as grande inspiration.
This phrase refers to a long, full inhalation of air, often used to relax or prepare for something. While grande inspiration is a noun phrase, the verbal form inspirer profondément is often used when instructing someone to perform the action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of grande (big/great) and inspiration (inhalation/breathing in).
Which one should you use?
Using the adjective profonde (deep) instead of grande (big) in une profonde inspiration is a more formal or literary way to express the same idea. The expression Prendre une grande bouffée d'air is an informal way to say 'to take a big gulp of air'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because inspiration is a feminine noun, the adjective grande must take the feminine form and the article must be une in the phrase une grande inspiration.
Did you know?
- When a doctor tells a patient to take a 'deep breath' during an exam, they will often use the command inspirez, which literally means 'inspire'.
- The informal phrase une bouffée d'air uses the word bouffée, which can also refer to a sudden 'gust' of wind or a 'hot flash'.
- In French, the word inspiration refers to both the physical act of breathing in and the sudden burst of creativity an artist feels.
Examples in context
- Prends une grande inspiration et calme-toi.Take a deep breath and calm down.This sentence is useful for showing how to use grande inspiration as an instruction to calm down.Tatoeba #11072702 by lbdx, translation #11069930 by Luornu
- Fais une grande inspiration pour te détendre.Take a deep breath to relax.
- Elle a pris une grande inspiration avant de parler.She took a deep breath before speaking.
Example conversation
Manon is helping Lucas calm down before his big presentation.
- ManonNe panique pas, Lucas.Don't panic, Lucas.
- LucasJe suis trop stressé.I am too stressed.
- ManonPrends une grande inspiration, ça va aller.Take a deep breath, you will be fine.
- LucasMerci, je vais essayer.Thanks, I will try.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
