Translation
to suffocate, to smother, to stifle
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Word origin
Probably a blend of Old French estoper ('to stop up') and Late Latin stuffare ('to stuff, to pack tight'). The exact path is debated, but both accounts point to the idea of blocking the breath.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- stuffare
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | étouffe | étouffais | étouffai | étoufferai | étoufferais |
| tu | étouffes | étouffais | étouffas | étoufferas | étoufferais |
| il/elle | étouffe | étouffait | étouffa | étouffera | étoufferait |
| nous | étouffons | étouffions | étouffâmes | étoufferons | étoufferions |
| vous | étouffez | étouffiez | étouffâtes | étoufferez | étoufferiez |
| ils/elles | étouffent | étouffaient | étouffèrent | étoufferont | étoufferaient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | étouffe | étouffasse |
| tu | étouffes | étouffasses |
| il/elle | étouffe | étouffât |
| nous | étouffions | étouffassions |
| vous | étouffiez | étouffassiez |
| ils/elles | étouffent | étouffassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | étouffe |
| nous | étouffons |
| vous | étouffez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- étouffant
- Past participle
- étouffé · étouffée · étouffés · étouffées
Examples
.
The smoke is starting to choke us.
.
He is stifling in the summer heat.
.
She stifled a cry of surprise.
.
They have been suppressing the truth for years.
.
The noise was drowning out her voice.
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French · Free printables
étouffer: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the French word "étouffer" (to suffocate, to smother, to stifle): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 28, lesson 1: étouffer, chic, danseur and 7 more words.