crier
/kʁi.je/
To shout in French is crier.
The verb crier is used to describe the act of uttering a sudden and loud outcry. Depending on the context, it can mean both 'to shout' and 'to cry out'. You can also use the phrase crier fort to specifically mean 'to shout loudly', or appeler à haute voix to mean 'to call out loudly'. If you want to describe the act of letting out a cry, you can use the phrase pousser un cri. Other common variations include élever la voix (to raise one's voice) and hurler de douleur (to scream in pain).
Meaning: to utter a sudden and loud outcry (verb)
Which one should you use?
While crier is the general term for shouting or crying out, the noun cri can be used to refer to the actual loud burst of voice or the shout itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal settings, you may encounter the slang term gueuler to mean 'to shout'. For more intense shouting that carries a connotation of anger or distress, the formal verb hurler is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the phrase crier haut et fort is commonly used to mean 'to shout out loud'. In Quebec, Canada, the verb brailler is used to mean 'to scream' or 'to shout'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to say that you are shouting at someone, you must use the preposition sur after the verb, forming crier sur.
How do you pronounce it?
{ 'ipa': '/kʁi.je/', 'syllables': 2 }
Did you know?
- The informal verb gueuler comes from the word for the jaw of an animal. Using it implies that the person is shouting like an animal rather than a human.
- In Quebec, using the word brailler to mean 'to shout' or 'to scream' can cause confusion, as in France it primarily means 'to cry' or 'to weep'.
- The French phrase crier au loup means 'to shout wolf'. It is used to describe someone who raises false alarms, mirroring the Aesop fable.
Examples in context
- Tom commença à crier.Tom began to shout.This example shows the use of crier to describe a starting action.Tatoeba #5369500 by Aiji, translation #2956112 by CK
- Il n'y a pas besoin de crier.There is no reason to shout.This example demonstrates a common way to use crier to express that there is no reason for the action.Tatoeba #6855185 by felix63, translation #6855669 by Eccles17
- Ce n'est pas poli de crier sur les gens comme ça.It's not polite to shout at people like that.This example illustrates how to use crier sur when directing the shouting at people.Tatoeba #12458185 by lbdx, translation #9799618 by CK
- Je suis désolé de crier, mais il y a une urgence!I apologize for shouting, but there is an emergency!
- Les supporters ont hurlé de joie à la victoire de leur équipe.The fans shouted with joy at their team's victory.
- Ils ont hurlé de rire en entendant cette blague.They shouted with laughter upon hearing that joke.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are in a noisy park.
- LéaPourquoi dois-tu crier ?Why do you have to shout?
- NathanJe ne peux pas t'entendre.I can't hear you.
- LéaDésolée, je vais baisser le ton.Sorry, I will lower my voice.
- NathanMerci, c'est mieux ainsi.Thanks, it's better this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shout” translations and entries crier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
