le cœur brisé
The English phrase 'heartbroken' is expressed in French as le cœur brisé.
The expression le cœur brisé is used to describe someone suffering from grief. It is used as part of the idiom avoir le cœur brisé, which means to have a broken heart.
Meaning: suffering from grief (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the expression Je suis en miettes is a common way to say 'I am in pieces'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While English uses the adjective 'heartbroken', the French equivalent is a noun phrase. Because it is a noun phrase, you use it with the verb avoir (to have) rather than the verb 'to be'.
Did you know?
- In French, the expression avoir le cœur gros does not mean to be heartbroken, but rather to be on the verge of tears or feeling heavy with emotion.
- French has a specific word, chagrin, which refers to a deep, lingering grief that often accompanies a cœur brisé.
- The word cœur shares the same Latin root, cor, as the English word 'core'. This suggests that the heart was historically viewed as the central or most essential part of a person.
Examples in context
- J'ai le cœur brisé.I'm heartbroken.This sentence is useful for stating that you are heartbroken using le cœur brisé.Tatoeba #4682008 by sacredceltic, translation #3824090 by CK
- J'avais le cœur brisé.I was heartbroken.This sentence is useful for expressing that you were heartbroken in the past using le cœur brisé.Tatoeba #5933987 by Aiji, translation #5858685 by CK
- Il dit avoir le cœur brisé.He said he was heartbroken.This sentence is useful for reporting that someone said they were heartbroken using le cœur brisé.Tatoeba #9542099 by sacredceltic, translation #7402963 by CH
- Elle était éplorée après avoir perdu son grand amour.She was heartbroken after losing her great love.
- Depuis notre séparation, je me sens complètement cassé(e).Since our breakup, I feel completely heartbroken.
- Depuis qu'il m'a quitté(e), je me sens au fond du gouffre.Since he left me, I feel completely heartbroken.
- Depuis qu'il m'a laissé(e), je suis en miettes.Since he left me, I am heartbroken.
- J'ai le cœur en miettes.I have a broken heart.
- Mon cœur saigne depuis notre séparation.My heart has been bleeding since our breakup.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are talking about a friend's recent breakup.
- NathanEst-ce que Marc va bien ?Is Marc doing okay?
- ChloéNon, il a le cœur brisé.No, he is heartbroken.
- NathanC'est triste pour lui.That is sad for him.
- ChloéOui, il a vraiment le cœur brisé.Yes, he is truly heartbroken.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cœur, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
