bégayer
The English phrase 'stutter' can be translated into French using the verb bégayer.
In French, use the verb bégayer to describe the act of stuttering. When you want to refer to the speech disorder itself as a noun, the term is le bégaiement.
Meaning: speech disorder (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bégaiement is a masculine noun. While bégayer is the verb meaning 'to stutter', le bégaiement is the noun meaning 'the stutter'.
Did you know?
- The term bégaiement is sometimes used in certain French technical contexts to describe a 'stuttering' effect in computer processing or data transmission delays.
- The French adjective for a person who stutters is bègue. While it describes a speech impediment, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is clumsy or lacks flow.
- The modern verb bégayer evolved from the Old French words beguer and besguer.
Examples in context
- Quand elle a commencé à bégayer, ses camarades de classe n'ont pas pu s'empêcher de rire.When she began to stutter, her classmates couldn't help laughing.This sentence illustrates the use of bégayer in a social context.Tatoeba #9775392 by lbdx, translation #1012408 by mahdiye
- Il balbutie quelques mots lorsqu'il est nerveux.He stutters a few words when he's nervous.
- Elle a réussi à balbutier son discours malgré son trac.She managed to stutter through her speech despite her stage fright.
- La petite fille bégayait tellement qu'elle se sentait découragée.The little girl stuttered so much that she felt discouraged.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are talking about a public speaking class.
- ChloéJ'ai peur de bégayer devant tout le monde.I'm afraid of stuttering in front of everyone.
- HugoNe t'inquiète pas, Chloé, tout ira bien.Don't worry, Chloé, everything will be fine.
- ChloéC'est juste que je commence à bégayer quand je stresse.It's just that I start to stutter when I'm stressed.
- HugoRespire profondément, Hugo est là pour t'aider.Breathe deeply, Hugo is here to help you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bégayer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
