la
/ʒɛn/
Translation
embarrassment, awkwardness; physical discomfort. Not the same word as gène, which means a gene
Word origin
From Old French gehenne ('torture'), from Late Latin gehenna ('hell'), itself from Hebrew ge-hinnom, the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem. The circumflex marks the lost syllable, and the meaning has softened a long way, from torment to mild embarrassment or a niggling ache. The unrelated gène ('a gene') is a nineteenth-century scientific coinage from Greek genos.
- Origin
- Late Latin
- Root
- gehenna
- English cognates
- Gehenna
Grammar
Examples
' répondu.
There was a moment of awkwardness when nobody answered.
ressent au .
She has felt a slight discomfort in her knee since her fall.
, repris .
Without the slightest embarrassment, he helped himself to more pudding.
.
The noise from the building work is a real nuisance for the neighbours.
.
His embarrassment showed on his face.
Where this fits
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gêne: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "gêne" (embarrassment, awkwardness; physical discomfort. Not the same word as gène, which means a gene): 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 weekThis word is part of lesson 37.