brusque

abrupt

adjective BRUSK Rare

Origin: from Italian brusco

Also means

sudden

Usage Note

Brusque describes a manner that is blunt and lacking in social niceties, or a movement/change that is sudden. Un geste brusque means 'an abrupt gesture'. The adverb brusquement means 'abruptly' or 'suddenly', and the verb brusquer means 'to rush' or 'to treat harshly'.

Examples

"Sa réponse brusque a surpris tout le monde."

Natural Translation

His abrupt reply surprised everyone.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Filler Words: Euh, Bah, Du Coup, Quoi

French filler words like euh, bah, du coup, and quoi make you sound fluent, not lazy. Learn what each one does, where it goes, and how to use them naturally.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read