Skip to content

gifle

slap (on the face)

noun ZHEEFL Rare

Usage Note

Gifle refers specifically to a slap on the cheek or face, not a general hit. The verb gifler means to slap someone across the face. Figuratively, une gifle can describe a brutal shock or public humiliation — c'est une gifle pour son équipe (it's a slap in the face for his team). A related informal word is claque, which overlaps in meaning.

Examples

"Elle lui a donné une gifle retentissante."

Natural Translation

She gave him a resounding slap.

Explore French by topic