escalade
/ɛs.ka.lad/
The English word escalation is translated into French as escalade.
escalade refers to an increase or rise, especially one to counteract a perceived discrepancy. In French, the phrase escalade de la violence is a standard way to express an escalation of violence.
Meaning: an increase or rise, especially one to counteract a perceived discrepancy (noun)
Which one should you use?
While escalade can be used in political contexts for an escalation of tension, it is much more frequently associated with the sport of rock climbing than the English word 'escalation' is with general increases.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the word escalade is more associated with rock climbing than with escalation.
How do you pronounce it?
escalade is pronounced /ɛs.ka.lad/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word escalade shares a root with échelle, the French word for 'ladder'. This reflects the original military meaning of scaling a wall using ladders during a siege.
- The term escalade can also refer to a historical military tactic where attackers used ladders to scale city walls.
- While an English speaker uses 'escalation' for rising costs, a French speaker might use hausse for prices and save escalade specifically for a rapid, often aggressive, series of events.
Examples in context
- Vladimir Poutine a déclaré qu'en cas d'escalade des violences contre la population russophone de Crimée et des régions de l'est de l'Ukraine, la Russie ne saurait rester en retrait et prendrait les mesures nécessaires dans le cadre du droit international.Vladimir Putin said that in the event of an escalation of violence against the Russian-speaking population in Crimea and the eastern regions of Ukraine, Russia could not hold back and would take the measures necessary within the framework of international law.This sentence shows how to use escalade in the context of an escalation of violence.Tatoeba #3073790 by Rovo, translation #8100482 by Objectivesea
- L'escalade de violence dans la région est préoccupanteThe escalation of violence in the region is concerning.
- Il y a eu une amplification du conflitThere has been an escalation of the conflict.
- L'intensification des tensions est inquiétanteThe intensification of tensions is worrying.
- La montée en puissance des manifestationsThe escalation of protests.
- Il y a eu une aggravation de la situationThere has been an escalation of the situation.
- La multiplication des incidentsThe escalation of incidents.
- L'escalade du conflit a été préjudiciable aux négociations de paix.The escalation of the conflict has been detrimental to peace negotiations.
- Il y a eu une intensification significative des manifestations récemment.There has been a significant intensification of protests recently.
- La situation s'est aggravée en raison de la multiplication des incidents violents.The situation has worsened due to the multiplication of violent incidents.
- L'escalade des prix de l'énergie inquiète les citoyens.The escalation of energy prices worries citizens.
- Nous devons éviter une escalade de la tension politique.We must avoid an escalation of political tension.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing a conflict at work.
- LéaLe ton monte entre les collègues.The tone is rising between the colleagues.
- HugoJe crains une escalade du conflit.I fear an escalation of the conflict.
- LéaNous devons intervenir rapidement.We must intervene quickly.
- HugoTu as raison, Hugo est d'accord.You are right, Hugo agrees.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry escalade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
