fusillade
/fy.zi.jad/
The English phrase shootout is translated into French as fusillade.
The term fusillade is used to refer to a shootout.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canadian French, you may use échange de balles to refer to a shootout.
How does it change in a sentence?
fusillade is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/fy.zi.jad/
Did you know?
- In a sports context, such as a football penalty shootout, French speakers do not use fusillade but instead use the term séance de tirs au but.
- The word fusil, the root of the phrase, actually comes from a type of flint used in early firearms. This links the modern concept of a shootout directly to the ancient technology of sparking fire.
- In French literature, a fusillade is often used as a metaphor for a sudden burst of loud, overlapping voices or arguments during a debate.
Examples in context
- L'échange de tirs entre les bandes rivales a eu lieu dans la rue principaleThe exchange of fire between rival gangs took place on the main street
- Il y a eu un échange de coups de feu entre les policiers et les malfaiteursThere was a shootout between the police and the criminals
- Les gangs se sont livrés à un combat armé dans les rues sombres de la villeThe gangs engaged in a shootout in the dark streets of the city
- Les forces spéciales ont maîtrisé la situation après une fusillade intenseThe special forces brought the situation under control after an intense shootout
- La police a arrêté les suspects après la fusillade.The police arrested the suspects after the shootout.
- Il y a eu une fusillade dans la rue.There was a shootout in the street.
- Les témoins ont décrit une fusillade très violente.The witnesses described a very violent shootout.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing a news report in a cafe.
- LucasTu as vu les informations sur la fusillade ?Did you see the news about the shootout?
- ChloéNon, qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?No, what happened?
- LucasUne fusillade a éclaté au centre-ville.A shootout broke out downtown.
- ChloéC'est terrible, j'espère que tout le monde va bien.That's terrible, I hope everyone is okay.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fusillade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.