mort lente
The English phrase "slow death" is translated into French as mort lente.
The phrase mort lente describes a process of dying that occurs gradually over a long period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
mort means "death" and lente is the feminine form of the adjective meaning "slow".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective lente follows the noun mort because most French adjectives follow the noun they modify. Because the noun mort is feminine, the indefinite article une and the adjective lente must both use their feminine forms.
Did you know?
- French has several expressions for a 'slow death' of a project or idea, often using the verb s'éteindre, which literally means 'to go out' like a candle.
- While mort lente describes a biological process, a French speaker might use the phrase mort lente metaphorically to describe a boring job or a failing business.
- Because mort is a feminine noun, it takes the feminine adjective lente. However, if you use the word décès for 'death', you must switch to the masculine lent.
Examples in context
- La vie en prison est une mort lente.Life in prison is a slow death.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the phrase mort lente to describe a difficult life situation.Tatoeba #9736342 by carlosalberto, translation #6127754 by OsoHombre
- La maladie incurable entraîna une mort lente et douloureuse.The incurable disease led to a slow and painful death.
- Cette maladie m'a condamné à une agonie interminable.This illness has condemned me to an endless, slow death.
- La faim et la soif l'ont plongé dans une lente agonie.Hunger and thirst plunged him into a slow death.
- L'oubli est une mort lente pour la mémoire.Forgetfulness is a slow death for memory.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing a tragic story in a book.
- LéaLe personnage souffre d'une mort lente.The character is suffering a slow death.
- HugoC'est vraiment triste pour lui.That is really sad for him.
- LéaOui, c'est une fin très cruelle.Yes, it is a very cruel end.
- HugoJe ne veux pas lire la suite.I don't want to read the rest.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
