trouille

fear, fright (informal)

noun TROO-ee Less Common

Usage Note

Trouille is a colloquial word for fear, more vivid than peur. Avoir la trouille means 'to be scared stiff'. The related adjective trouillard ('cowardly, scaredy-cat') is equally informal. It is firmly in everyday spoken French and would be inappropriate in formal writing.

Examples

"J'avais la trouille avant l'examen."

Natural Translation

I was scared stiff before the exam.

Literal Translation

I had the fright before the exam.

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