Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| renverser | /ʁɑ̃.vɛʁ.se/ |
| déverser | /de.vɛʁ.se/ |
| répandre | /ʁe.pɑ̃dʁ/ |
In French, the word for spill depends on how the substance is being spilled. You can use renverser to describe knocking something over, répandre to describe a substance spreading across a surface or déverser to describe discharging or pouring out a large amount of something.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific nature of the spill. Use renverser when the spill is caused by knocking a container over or tipping it. Use répandre when the focus is on the liquid or substance spreading out over a surface. Use déverser when describing a large-scale pouring out, such as a river emptying into a sea or a chemical spill from a tank.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word renverser is pronounced /ʁɑ̃.vɛʁ.se/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word renverser can also mean 'to overturn' a government or 'to flip' an idea, showing how a simple spill can scale up to a political revolution.
- The word verser is the core of many of these terms and can also mean 'to deposit' money into a bank account.
- While renverser implies a clumsy accident, répandre is the same word used for 'spreading' news or rumors through a population.
Examples in context
- Assurez-vous de ne pas renverser d’eau sur le clavier.Make sure not to spill water onto the keyboard.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of renverser.Tatoeba #12996169 by carlosalberto, translation #12995908 by glossboss
- J'ai renversé mon verre d'eau.I spilled my glass of water.
- J'ai renversé accidentellement mon café sur le tapis.I accidentally spilled my coffee on the carpet.
- Oups, j'ai renversé mon verre !Oops, I spilled my glass!
- J'ai fait tomber mon café sur ma chemise.I spilled my coffee on my shirt.
- J'ai maladroitement renversé mon thé sur la table.I clumsily spilled my tea on the table.
- Mélanie a renversé sa soupe sans faire exprès.Mélanie spilled her soup by accident.
- J'ai renversé mon café.I spilled my coffee.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are having lunch together.
- NathanOh non, je vais renverser mon verre !Oh no, I'm going to spill my glass!
- ManonVite, prends vite une serviette, Nathan.Quick, grab a napkin quickly, Nathan.
- NathanC'est fini, j'ai tout renversé sur la table.It's done, I spilled everything on the table.
- ManonCe n'est pas grave, Manon va t'aider.It's okay, Manon will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spill” translations and entries renverser, déverser, répandre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
