engourdi
/ɑ̃.ɡuʁ.di/
To say numb in French, meaning physically unable to feel, use engourdi. The word gourd also exists. If unsure, use engourdi.
Meaning: physically unable to feel (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| engourdi | /ɑ̃.ɡuʁ.di/ |
| gourd | /ɡuʁ/ |
engourdi describes a body part that has lost feeling, for example from cold or from staying still too long.
Which one should you use?
engourdi is about losing physical sensation, while endormi is often used colloquially for a limb that has fallen asleep. insensible is a formal word for emotional numbness or a lack of sensitivity. The related verb engourdir means to make numb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective agrees with the body part. Use engourdie for a feminine noun like main and engourdis for a masculine plural like pieds.
How do you pronounce it?
engourdi is pronounced /ɑ̃.ɡuʁ.di/ in three syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the word gourd is used as an insult to describe someone who is slow-witted or clumsy.
- The word gourd descends from the Latin gurdus, which originally carried the meanings of being 'stiff' or 'deaf'.
- The word gourd is a rare double entendre because it shares its spelling with the French word for 'gourd' or 'bottle gourd' vegetable.
Examples in context
- J'ai les pieds engourdis.My feet are numb.engourdis is plural to match pieds, feet.Tatoeba #11628017 by Aiji, translation #4135463 by CK
- Mes orteils sont engourdis.My toes are numb.orteils means toes, a masculine plural.Tatoeba #7124920 by Aiji, translation #4500107 by CK
- Ma main gauche est engourdie.My left hand is numb.engourdie is feminine to match main, hand.Tatoeba #8364 by sacredceltic, translation #499957 by blay_paul
- Jean avait les mains engourdies après avoir marché longtemps dans le froid.Jean had numb hands after walking for a long time in the cold.
- Elle se sentait insensible à toutes les émotions après la perte de son chien.She felt emotionally numb after the loss of her dog.
- Après cette séance de sport intense, je me suis retrouvé tout engourdi.After that intense workout session, I ended up completely numb.
- J'ai dormi dans une mauvaise position et je me suis réveillé avec le bras pincé.I slept in a bad position and woke up with a numb arm.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are walking in the cold outdoors.
- GabrielJ'ai le visage engourdi par le froid.My face is numb from the cold.
- LéaEst-ce que tes doigts sont aussi engourdis ?Are your fingers numb too?
- GabrielOui, je ne sens plus mes mains.Yes, I can't feel my hands anymore.
- LéaRentrons vite à la maison.Let's get back home quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “numb” translations and entries engourdi, gourd, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gourd, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
