déjà-vu
The English phrase 'deja vu' is expressed in French as déjà-vu.
In French, déjà-vu refers to the feeling that you have already experienced a current situation in the past. While English speakers often use 'déjà vu' as a noun, in French it is frequently used within the phrase un sentiment de déjà-vu to describe the sensation.
Did you know?
- French speakers use the opposite term jamais-vu to describe the eerie feeling of seeing a familiar person or place and feeling as if they are completely unknown.
- In French, déjà-vu is often used to criticize a piece of art or a story as being cliché or unoriginal.
- The phrase became a global medical term after the French psychologist Émile Boirac coined it in 1876 to describe a specific memory glitch.
Examples in context
- J'ai eu un sentiment de déjà-vu lorsque j'ai visité cette ville.I had a feeling of déjà vu when I visited this city.
- J'ai ressenti une impression de déjà-vu en assistant à cette conférence.I experienced an impression of déjà vu while attending this conference.
- En revenant dans ce lieu, j'ai l'impression de revivre une expérience passée.By returning to this place, I feel like I'm reliving a past experience.
- Quand j'ai vu cette personne, ça me disait quelque chose.When I saw that person, it felt familiar.
- J'ai l'impression d'avoir déjà vu ça quelque part.I feel like I've already seen that somewhere.
- C'est comme si je l'avais déjà vécu, c'est étrange.It's as if I've already experienced it, it's strange.
- J'ai un sentiment de déjà-vu.I have a feeling of déjà-vu.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chéloé are walking through a city they have never visited.
- LucasRegarde ce coin de rue, j'ai un déjà-vu.Look at this street corner, I'm having déjà vu.
- ChloéC'est possible, mais on n'est jamais venus ici.It's possible, but we've never been here.
- LucasJe sais, mais je connais exactement ce lieu.I know, but I know this place exactly.
- ChloéC'est vraiment troublant, Lucas.That's really unsettling, Lucas.
