In French, le coup de foudre translates literally to “lightning strike” or a “bolt of lightning”. However, le coup de foudre is also a commonly used idiom meaning “love at first sight”. This post will explain precisely how to use this French expression.
le coup de foudre
love at first sight
Weather usage
First and foremost, coup de foudre is a French weather term meaning “lightning”, “lightning strike” or “lightning bolt”. For example:
Il y aura des coups de foudre cet après-midi.
There will be lightning this afternoon.
Love at first sight
The expression coup de foudre first appeared in the language in the 17th century. The lightning bolt was associated with “an event which surprises in a sudden and unpleasant way”. Coup de foudre appeared as an idiom associated with love in the 18th century, with lightning being a metaphor for sudden attraction.
Avoir le coup de foudre means to fall in love at first sight. For example:
Pierre a eu le coup de foudre pour Julie.
Pierre fell in love with Julie at first sight.
Être le coup de foudre to “to be love at first sight”. For example:
Quand j’ai vu Sylvie, ça a été le coup de foudre.
When I saw Sylvie, it was love at first sight.
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