crise de panique
feminine
The English phrase 'panic attack' is translated into French as crise de panique. Wiktionary also lists crise d'angoisse.
Meaning: sudden period of intense anxiety (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| crise de panique | feminine |
| crise d'angoisse | feminine |
While crise de panique refers to a sudden, acute panic attack, crise d'angoisse is frequently used to describe an attack characterized by intense, overwhelming anxiety or dread.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase crise de panique literally translates to 'crisis of panic'.
Which one should you use?
Use crise de panique for a sudden, acute panic attack and crise d'angoisse for attacks characterized by intense, overwhelming anxiety or dread.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun crise is feminine, so when you want to say 'a panic attack', you use the indefinite article une to form une crise de panique. To say someone is 'having' a panic attack, French speakers often use the verb faire (to do/make) instead of avoir (to have), as in faire une crise de panique.
Did you know?
- The word panique traces its roots back to the Greek god Pan, who was thought to cause sudden, irrational fear in people wandering through the wild.
- In French, the word crise can refer to a medical attack, a political turmoil or even a sudden emotional outburst like a tantrum, using the same word for all three.
- The word angoisse implies a suffocating sensation or a 'tightening' of the throat, which is why crise d'angoisse focuses more on the physical feeling of dread than the suddenness of panic.
Examples in context
- Tom a eu une crise de panique.Tom had a panic attack.This sentence shows how to use the form crise de panique in the past tense.Tatoeba #2081367 by Despear, translation #1600358 by Spamster
- J'ai fait une attaque de panique hier soir.I had a panic attack last night.
- Il a souffert d'une crise de panique au milieu de la réunion.He suffered a panic attack in the middle of the meeting.
- J'ai vécu une crise d'anxiété hier. C'était éprouvant.I had a panic attack yesterday. It was exhausting.
- Elle a fait une crise de panique dans le métro.She had a panic attack in the subway.
- Je redoute d'avoir une crise de panique en public.I am afraid of having a panic attack in public.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are talking about mental health at a cafe.
- LucasTu te sens mieux après ta crise de panique ?Do you feel better after your panic attack?
- ManonOui, mais je suis encore très fatiguée.Yes, but I am still very tired.
- LucasC'est normal, c'est un moment très stressant.It's normal, it is a very stressful moment.
- ManonMerci de me comprendre, Lucas.Thank you for understanding me, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “panic attack” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crise, de, panique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
