secoué
The English word 'shaken' is translated into French as secoué.
When applied to a person, secoué describes being emotionally unsettled or shocked. While it can describe a physical object that has been shaken, when applied to a person, it describes being emotionally unsettled or shocked.
Meaning: chiefly of a person: having had one’s composure or confidence disrupted or upset (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective secoué is the past participle of the verb secouer, which means to shake or jolt.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person being described, so use secouée for a woman. The adjective takes the form secoués when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The adjective takes the form secouées when describing a group consisting only of women.
Did you know?
- In old colloquial French, un secoué could refer to someone who is eccentric or a bit 'unhinged', describing their personality rather than a temporary state.
- While secoué means shaken, adding the word bien as in bien secoué can describe a drink that has been vigorously mixed, like a martini.
- In French slang, secouer can mean to 'wake someone up' or 'get someone moving' in a harsh or sudden way, similar to the English 'shake things up'.
Examples in context
- Tu as l'air un peu secouée.You look a little shaken.This sentence shows how to describe someone looking a little shaken using secoué.Tatoeba #11722641 by lbdx, translation #3324299 by Hybrid
- Je sais que Tom a été secoué.I know Tom was shaken.This sentence expresses knowing that someone was shaken using secoué.Tatoeba #6840104 by Micsmithel, translation #6838610 by CK
- J'ai été secoué.I was shaken.This sentence is useful for saying that you were shaken using secoué.Tatoeba #2186900 by sacredceltic, translation #2182532 by Hybrid
- Je suis ébranlé(e)I am shaken
- La nouvelle m'a déstabilisé(e)The news has shaken me
- Je suis complètement bouleversé(e)I am completely shaken
- Je me sens chamboulé(e)To express being shaken
- La tragédie a ébranlé toute la communauté.The tragedy has shaken the entire community.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking after a minor car accident.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu es secouée, Manon ?Are you shaken up, Manon?
- ManonOui, je suis un peu secouée par l'accident.Yes, I am a little shaken by the accident.
- GabrielHeureusement, tu n'as rien de grave.Fortunately, you are not seriously hurt.
- ManonMerci, j'ai juste besoin de m'asseoir.Thank you, I just need to sit down.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
