gonflé
/ɡɔ̃.fle/
The English word "swollen" is translated into French as gonflé.
gonflé is used to describe something that is distended or puffed up. This applies both to medical contexts, such as physical swelling in the body and figuratively to describe a person who is puffed up with pride. For an informal way to say something is puffy or swollen, you can use bouffi(e). Additionally, the informal expression enflé(e) comme un ballon can be used to mean "swollen like a balloon".
Meaning: distended (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
gonflé is the past participle of the verb gonfler, which means to inflate or pump up.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective gonflé must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use gonflée for feminine singular nouns, gonflés for masculine plural nouns and gonflées for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɔ̃.fle/
Did you know?
- In French slang, the expression C'est gonflé! is used to express that a situation or a person's request is outrageous. It is equivalent to saying 'That's rich!' in English.
- In an idiomatic sense, to be gonflé à bloc means to be 'fully charged' or 'at full throttle', which has nothing to do with physical swelling.
- To describe someone as gonflé aux hormones, French speakers refer to people who have used steroids to build muscle. The 'swelling' here refers to artificial muscle growth.
Examples in context
- Depuis combien de temps vos joues sont-elles gonflées ?How long have your cheeks been swollen?This sentence is useful for asking about the duration of swelling in someone's cheeks.Tatoeba #9926122 by Micsmithel, translation #9851483 by NurseMeeks
- Vous avez un rhume et vos ganglions lymphatiques sont gonflés.You have a cold and your lymph nodes are swollen.This sentence is useful for noting the connection between a cold and swollen lymph nodes.Tatoeba #12451108 by lbdx, translation #6457871 by Eccles17
- Tes pieds sont gonflés parce que tes chaussures sont trop petites.Your feet are swollen because your shoes are too small.This sentence is useful for explaining that feet are swollen due to ill-fitting shoes.Tatoeba #6456006 by Aiji, translation #18114 by Zifre
- Son genou est gonfléHis knee is swollen
- La cheville est gonfléeThe ankle is swollen
- Le visage est enfléThe face is swollen
- La main est enfléeThe hand is swollen
- Les yeux sont bouffisThe eyes are swollen
- Le pied est enflé comme un ballonThe foot is swollen like a balloon
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon is looking at Gabriel's injured hand.
- ManonTon doigt est très gonflé, Gabriel.Your finger is very swollen, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, je me suis cogné la main.Yes, I hit my hand.
- ManonIl faut mettre de la glace dessus.You should put some ice on it.
- GabrielTu as raison, merci Manon.You are right, thanks Manon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gonflé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
