👉 See also: Tout à coup (similar expression for suddenly) »
Level: B1 (Intermediate)
🎧 Audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a native speaker & professional voice artist from France
The French Word of the Day is soudain, an adverb meaning “suddenly.” I’m featuring this word because many learners mistakenly say soudainement, while native speakers use soudain far more often in everyday speech.
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
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📘 Soudain meaning
Soudain is both an adverb and an adjective meaning “suddenly” or “sudden” in French. It’s the form speakers use most often to describe something that happens quickly or without warning. The longer form soudainement exists too, but it’s used far less in everyday language.
🎧 Soudain pronunciation
👉 The pronunciation of soudain is /su.dɛ̃/ — roughly “soo-DEN.”
📝 French and English example sentences
Soudain – suddenly
Soudain, il a commencé à pleuvoir.
Suddenly, it started to rain.
Un bruit soudain l’a surpris.
A sudden noise startled him.
Elle a ressenti un malaise soudain en montant les escaliers.
She felt a sudden discomfort while going up the stairs.
Il s’est arrêté soudain, comme s’il avait entendu une voix.
He stopped suddenly, as if he had heard a voice.
Elle a eu un éclat soudain de rire.
She had a sudden burst of laughter.
👉 Explore my lesson covering du jour au lendemain, meaning “suddenly” or “overnight” »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- tout à coup — all of a sudden / suddenly
- brusquement — abruptly, sharply
- subitement — suddenly, unexpectedly
- du jour au lendemain — overnight / very suddenly
- d’un coup — in one go / suddenly
- à l’improviste — unexpectedly, without warning
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