choc
/ʃɔk/masculine
The English word 'shock' (as a sudden mental or emotional disturbance) is translated into French as choc. Wiktionary also lists choc émotionnel.
Meaning: a sudden mental or emotional disturbance (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| choc | /ʃɔk/ /tʃɔk/ |
masculine |
| choc émotionnel | masculine |
The noun choc refers to the event itself or the state of being shocked. To express that someone is currently 'in shock', use the phrase sous le choc.
Which one should you use?
The noun choc refers to the shock itself, whereas the related verb choquer is used to describe the action of shocking someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
choc is a masculine noun and is preceded by the masculine article un to say 'a shock' (un choc). The phrase choc émotionnel is also masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɔk/
Did you know?
- The French verb choquer is often used to describe someone's behavior being offensive or scandalous, rather than just being surprising.
- The word choc can describe a sudden rush of flavor in gastronomy, such as a 'choc de saveurs', much like a 'flavor explosion' in English.
- The word choc is a deverbal noun, meaning it was created from the verb choquer in the 16th century rather than appearing as a standalone root.
Examples in context
- Ce fut un choc.It was a shock.This sentence is useful for expressing that something was a shock using choc.Tatoeba #6707183 by GB3, translation #4397611 by CK
- Il va avoir un choc.He's in for a shock.This sentence is useful for saying someone is in for a shock using choc.Tatoeba #1832506 by sacredceltic, translation #1832141 by Spamster
- J'étais sous le choc.I was in shock.This sentence is useful for describing being in a state of shock using choc.Tatoeba #11082130 by Aiji, translation #4500175 by CK
- J'ai eu une grande surprise en apprenant cette nouvelleI was shocked when I heard this news
- Son discours a provoqué l'étonnement généralHis speech caused a general shock
- Le spectacle était si terrible que j'ai ressenti un profond effarementThe show was so terrible that I felt a deep shock
- J'étais totalement sidéré par ce qu'il a ditI was completely shocked by what he said
- Quand elle a annoncé son départ, j'en suis tombé des nuesWhen she announced her departure, I was in shock
- Il a éclaté de rire, ce qui a provoqué un choc chez les autresHe burst out laughing, which caused a shock among the others
- Elle était choquée de découvrir la véritéShe was shocked to discover the truth
- J'ai été stupéfait par leur générositéI was astounded by their generosity
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa tells Nathan about a sudden piece of bad news.
- LéaC'est un choc pour tout le monde.It is a shock for everyone.
- NathanJe ne peux pas y croire.I can't believe it.
- LéaLe choc a été très violent.The shock was very violent.
- NathanC'est vraiment triste, Léa.It is really sad, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shock” translations and entries choc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries choc, émotionnel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
