embourbé
The English word mired can be translated into French as embourbé.
The term embourbé describes being stuck in deep mud or a similar soft substance. While it can be used literally to describe vehicles caught in mud, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe being bogged down or stuck in complex situations, such as bureaucracy or debt.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context and tone, you might choose different forms. Enlisé is used for a more formal tone. Empêtré is an informal term that reflects a feeling of being entangled or stuck. If you want to express being stranded or in a pickle, you can use the informal expression en rade. To describe being mired in a difficult situation informally, you can use galère.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form embourbé must agree in gender with the subject. It becomes embourbée if the subject is feminine.
Did you know?
- In French, the concept of being 'mired' can be expressed as être dans le pétrin, a phrase that literally means being inside a kneading trough for bread dough.
- If you are stuck or stranded in a way that is frustrating rather than just stuck, you might use the slang en galère, which originally referred to the hard labor of rowing a galley ship.
- While embourbé describes the state of being stuck, the noun bourbier can describe a literal mud pit or a metaphorical 'quagmire' of scandals.
Examples in context
- Le monde est embourbé dans la crise.The world is mired in crisis.This sentence shows the metaphorical use of embourbé to describe a world stuck in a crisis.Tatoeba #11974321 by lbdx, translation #11974317 by shekitten
- L'entreprise est enlisée dans une situation financière désastreuse.The company is mired in a disastrous financial situation.
- On est complètement empêtré dans les problèmes.We're completely mired in problems.
- Le camion est embourbé dans la boue.The truck is mired in the mud.
- Ma voiture est restée embourbée sur le chemin.My car got stuck in the mud on the path.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are standing by their car on a dirt road after a storm.
- ManonLucas, regarde, le véhicule est complètement embourbé !Lucas, look, the vehicle is completely mired!
- LucasOui, il est bien embourbé dans cette boue.Yes, it is deep in the mud.
- ManonPeut-on l'aider à sortir de là ?Can we help it get out of there?
- LucasJe vais essayer de trouver une planche.I will try to find a board.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
