gorgée
/ɡɔʁ.ʒe/
In French, the word for a gulp is gorgée.
When you want to express the idea of gulping something down in an informal setting, you can use the expression avaler d'un coup.
Meaning: to swallow eagerly, or in large draughts (verb)
Which one should you use?
While gorgée can mean a large gulp, it is also the standard word for a sip of a drink.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun gorgée is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article une. To express doing something in a single gulp, the phrase en une seule gorgée is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɔʁ.ʒe/ (two syllables)
Did you know?
- The word gorge used in gorgée refers to both the throat and the 'gorge' of a valley, describing the narrow physical passage of both.
- The term gorge refers to the anatomical throat, making gorgée literally a 'throat-full'.
- The word gorge is a cognate of the English word 'gorge', which can mean both a narrow canyon and the act of overeating.
Examples in context
- Il avala la bière en une seule gorgée.He drank the beer in one gulp.This sentence shows how to use gorgée to describe drinking a beer in one gulp.Tatoeba #3432446 by sacredceltic, translation #2112429 by kerbear407
- Il a vidé son verre en une seule gorgée.He drained his glass in one gulp.This sentence illustrates how to use gorgée when draining a glass in one gulp.Tatoeba #8943954 by lbdx, translation #4425703 by AlanF_US
- L'homme fit un large sourire et se leva. Il paya alors l'addition et vida sa bière d'une seule gorgée.The man grinned widely and stood up. He then paid the bill and emptied his glass of beer in one gulp.This sentence demonstrates using gorgée in the context of paying a bill and emptying a beer in one gulp.Tatoeba #3489667 by sacredceltic, translation #3182903 by WestofEden
- Elle a bu son café d'un seul coup.She gulped down her coffee in one gulp.
- Nous devons boire cette tisane d'un trait.We need to gulp down this herbal tea in one go.
- J'ai avalé mon verre de soda d'un coup.I gulped down my glass of soda in one gulp.
- Il a englouti son repas sans même prendre le temps de savourer.He gulped down his meal without even taking the time to savor it.
- Elle a englouti sa bière sans même s'arrêter.She gulped down her beer without even stopping.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are drinking water after a run.
- GabrielJe suis tellement assoiffé !I am so thirsty!
- LéaNe bois pas tout en une seule gorgée.Don't drink it all in one single gulp.
- GabrielC'est trop bon, je ne peux pas m'empêcher.It's too good, I can't help myself.
- LéaFais attention, tu vas t'étouffer.Be careful, you're going to choke.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gorgée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gorgée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
