coup de foudre
/ku d(ə) fudʁ/
The English phrase "lightning strike" is coup de foudre in French.
coup de foudre refers to a lightning strike during an electrical storm. However, it is most commonly used as an idiom to describe falling in love at first sight, representing a sudden and intense romantic attraction.
Meaning: event during an electrical storm (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, coup de foudre means "blow of lightning" (coup = blow/hit, foudre = lightning).
Which one should you use?
While coup de foudre can describe the physical event of a lightning strike, it is far more frequent in everyday conversation to denote the figurative experience of falling in love instantly.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku d(ə) fudʁ/
When do people say it?
When using coup de foudre to describe a sudden romantic attraction, you are using a very common French idiom.
Did you know?
- The word foudre has two distinct origins: one from Latin meaning 'lightning' and another from Middle High German referring to a large vessel.
- French has two distinct words for 'lightning' depending on the context. While foudre is the strike that hits the ground, éclair is the flash of light seen in the sky.
- Beyond romance, a French person might describe a sudden epiphany or a powerful artistic revelation as a coup de foudre.
Examples in context
- Les experts étudient les conséquences lorsque la foudre frappe un arbre.Experts are studying the consequences when lightning strikes a tree.
- Les scientifiques mesurent l'intensité d'une décharge de foudre.Scientists measure the intensity of a lightning strike.
- Wow, cet éclair était énorme !Wow, that lightning strike was huge!
- Le spectacle était magnifique, la foudre est tombée juste devant nous !The show was marvelous, the lightning struck right in front of us!
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking at a damaged fence after a storm.
- HugoRegarde cette clôture brûlée, Manon.Look at this burnt fence, Manon.
- ManonC'est sûrement dû à un coup de foudre.It is probably due to a lightning strike.
- HugoC'est incroyable que ça soit arrivé ici.It's incredible that it happened here.
- ManonOui, l'orage était vraiment violent.Yes, the storm was really violent.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry coup de foudre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coup, coup de foudre, de, foudre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
