chute
/ʃyt/
The English phrase dropping is translated into French as chute.
Chute refers to the act of falling from a higher place to a lower place. While it often describes physical movement, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a sudden decrease in values, such as prices or temperature. If you want to describe the physical act of letting something fall, you might use the phrase laisser tomber. If you are describing the act of ceasing or stopping an activity, the formal verb cesser is appropriate.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, different words for dropping or falling are used. Use the formal verb cesser to mean to cease or to stop an activity. For an informal way to say to drop, especially in the sense of abruptly abandoning something or breaking up with someone, use larguer. The verb form of the noun chute is chuter, which means to drop or to fall.
How does it change in a sentence?
Chute is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃyt/
Did you know?
- The English word 'parachute' is actually a compound of the French word para, meaning 'against', and chute, meaning 'fall'. It literally translates to 'against falling'.
- In French literature and storytelling, la chute refers to the 'twist' or the surprise ending of a story or joke rather than a physical drop.
- The slang verb larguer for dropping a romantic partner is also the technical term used in aviation to describe releasing cargo or paratroopers from an aircraft.
Examples in context
- La fréquentation du site chute.Site traffic is dropping.This sentence is useful for showing how chute describes a decrease in site traffic.Tatoeba #11240377 by lbdx, translation #11239654 by ddnktr
- J'ai décidé d'abandonner ce projetI have decided to drop this project
- Je vais laisser tomber cette idéeI am going to drop this idea
- Le gouvernement a décidé de cesser les négociationsThe government decided to drop the negotiations
- Elle l'a largué sans explicationShe dropped him without an explanation
- Hier soir, j'ai largué mon sac à dos sur le canapé en rentrant à la maison.Last night, I dropped my backpack on the couch when I got home.
- Faites attention à la chute des pierres.Watch out for falling rocks.
- Il y a une chute d'eau magnifique ici.There is a magnificent waterfall here.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are hiking near a waterfall.
- GabrielRegarde la chute d'eau là-bas !Look at the waterfall over there!
- ChloéC'est magnifique, Chloé adore ça.It's magnificent, Chloé loves it.
- GabrielLa chute semble vraiment haute.The drop seems really high.
- ChloéOui, restons loin du bord.Yes, let's stay away from the edge.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chute, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
