goutte
/ɡut/
In French, 'drop' can be translated as goutte.
To express 'a drop of [substance]', use the construction une goutte de followed by the substance, such as une goutte de lait. The expression laisser tomber is an informal way to say 'to drop'. This phrase can also mean 'to give up' or 'to let go'.
Meaning: to let (something) fall, to allow (something) to fall (either by releasing hold of, or losing one's grip on) (verb)
Which one should you use?
chute refers to the act of moving downwards under the force of gravity. Additionally, réglisse is a confection.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of goutte is gouttes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡut/
Did you know?
- In a medical context, la goutte refers to 'gout', a painful form of arthritis, rather than a literal 'drop' of liquid.
- While goutte describes a liquid drop, the French use the word perle (pearl) to describe a 'drop' of sweat or a 'drop' of dew.
- In a romantic or dramatic context, laisser tomber can be used to describe 'breaking up' with someone or dropping them from one's life.
Examples in context
- C'est une goutte de mon sang.It's a drop of my blood.This sentence is useful for identifying a single liquid particle of blood using goutte.Tatoeba #8260180 by nimfeo, translation #12855385 by rul
- Je sentis une goutte de pluie.I felt a drop of rain.This sentence is useful for describing the sensation of a single particle of rain using goutte.Tatoeba #2416818 by sacredceltic, translation #2326207 by CK
- Il n'y a plus une goutte d'eau.There's not a drop of water left.This sentence is useful for expressing that no liquid remains using goutte.Tatoeba #11397162 by lbdx, translation #7492804 by CK
- Je dois déposer ce document important à la réception.I have to drop off this important document at the reception.
- Le facteur a déposé le colis devant ma porte.The mailman dropped the package in front of my door.
- Elle a laissé tomber ses amis pour sortir avec son nouvel amour.She dropped her friends to go out with her new love interest.
- J'ai laissé tomber mon parapluie dans le bus.I dropped my umbrella in the bus.
- Il a fait tomber son sandwich par terre.He dropped his sandwich on the ground.
- Elle a fait tomber son livre en marchant rapidement.She dropped her book while walking fast.
- Il a lâché la balle et elle est tombée.He dropped the ball, and it fell.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are painting a wall together.
- LéaAttention, Gabriel, une goutte tombe sur le sol !Watch out, Gabriel, a drop is falling on the floor!
- GabrielOh non, j'ai fait tomber une goutte de peinture.Oh no, I dropped a drop of paint.
- LéaVite, essuie cette goutte avant qu'elle ne sèche.Quick, wipe up that drop before it dries.
- GabrielC'est bon, j'ai enlevé la goutte.It's okay, I removed the drop.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry goutte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
