bégaiement
/be.ɡɛ.mɑ̃/masculine
Stammering in French can be translated as bégaiement, bafouillage or balbutiement.
Meaning: act of stammering (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bégaiement | /be.ɡɛ.mɑ̃/ /be.ɡe.mɑ̃/ |
masculine |
| bafouillage | /ba.fu.jaʒ/ | masculine |
| balbutiement | /bal.by.si.mɑ̃/ | masculine |
Which one should you use?
Use bégaiement to refer specifically to the medical or physiological condition of stuttering. Use balbutiement to describe the hesitant, uncertain speech of a child or someone struggling to find words due to emotion. Use bafouillage to describe a disorganized or confused way of speaking, often implying the person is mumbles or tripping over words.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word bégaiement is pronounced /be.ɡɛ.mɑ̃/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In literature, an author might use balbutiement to describe the 'stammering' of light or dawn, describing a faint and uncertain appearance of brightness.
- The word bafouillage shares a root with bafouer, which means 'to flout' or 'to make a mockery of'.
- The word balbutiement is an onomatopoeia, as the repetition of the 'b' sound mimics the actual sound of a baby trying to speak.
Examples in context
- La personne souffre d'un bégaiement chronique.The individual suffers from chronic stammering.
- Les enfants atteints de bégaiement peuvent rencontrer des défis de communication.Children with stammering may face communication challenges.
- Son bégaiement l'empêche de parler vite.His stammering prevents him from speaking quickly.
- Le bégaiement peut être causé par le stress.Stammering can be caused by stress.
- Il essaie de surmonter son bégaiement.He is trying to overcome his stammering.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a friend's speech difficulties.
- ManonEst-ce que son bégaiement est grave ?Is his stammering serious?
- HugoNon, c'est juste un bégaiement passager.No, it is just temporary stammering.
- ManonHugo, tu penses qu'il a besoin d'aide ?Hugo, do you think he needs help?
- HugoPeut-être, mais il s'en sort très bien.Maybe, but he manages very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stammering” translations and entries bégaiement, bafouillage, balbutiement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
