coup de chaleur
/ku d(ə) ʃa.lœʁ/
The English phrase heat exhaustion is translated into French as coup de chaleur.
This phrase describes a condition where the body overheats due to exposure to high temperatures.
Which one should you use?
In English, there is a distinction between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. However, the French term coup de chaleur is commonly used to cover the entire spectrum of heat-related illnesses, including both exhaustion and stroke.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the plural form to refer to multiple instances, such as heat strokes, use coups de chaleur. In this plural form, only the noun coup takes an s.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku d(ə) ʃa.lœʁ/
Did you know?
- The word coup in this phrase is derived from the Ancient Greek word kólaphos, which specifically meant a slap in the face.
- The French word coup is used in a wide variety of idioms for sudden events, such as coup de foudre, which can mean both a 'bolt of lightning' and 'love at first sight'.
- While coup de chaleur refers to heat exhaustion, the French language uses the same structure of 'strike' to describe other sudden physical sensations, like a coup de fatigue for a sudden bout of exhaustion.
Examples in context
- La victime a souffert d'un coup de chaleur après être restée trop longtemps sous le soleil.The victim suffered from heat exhaustion after staying under the sun for too long.
- Attention, avec cette chaleur, tu vas être sur le point de tomber dans les pommes !Be careful, with this heat, you're going to be on the verge of fainting!
- Il a fait un coup de chaleur pendant la randonnée.He suffered heat exhaustion during the hike.
- Faites attention au coup de chaleur en plein été.Watch out for heat exhaustion in the middle of summer.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are discussing a friend who went to the hospital.
- ChloéEst-ce que Marc va mieux ?Is Marc feeling better?
- HugoOui, mais c'était un coup de chaleur sérieux.Yes, but it was a serious case of heat exhaustion.
- ChloéIl faut qu'il se repose à l'ombre.He needs to rest in the shade.
- HugoC'est vrai, il doit rester au frais.That's true, he must stay cool.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry coup de chaleur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaleur, coup, coup de chaleur, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
