brise

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breeze, break, shatter
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Russian
/bʁiz/
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It denotes a gentle wind and also the action of breaking or shattering something.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • Le silence brise l'atmosphère lourde.
    The silence breaks the heavy atmosphere.
  • Le joueur brise le record du monde.
    The player breaks the world record.
  • Le marteau brise la pierre en deux.
    The hammer splits the stone in two.
  • Je ferme la fenêtre pour laisser entrer la brise.
    I close the window to let the breeze in.
  • Il brise le verre en le frappant.
    He breaks the glass by striking it.

Similar words

fendre
déchirer
courant d'air
sabrer
vent doux
brise légère
souffle
fracturer
casser
zéphyr

Meanings

Gentle wind

noun
physical
neutral
A light, gentle wind that moves air without strong force.

Usage

Use brise for a light, gentle wind that moves air without strong force.

Examples

  • La brise souffle doucement sur la plage.
    The breeze blows gently on the beach.
  • Après la pluie, une brise fraîche rafraîchit la ville.
    After the rain, a breeze freshens the city.
  • Je ferme la fenêtre pour laisser entrer la brise.
    I close the window to let the breeze in.
  • La brise du matin porte les senteurs du jardin.
    The morning breeze carries the garden scents.
  • Les voiliers profitent de la brise pour avancer.
    The sailboats use the breeze to move forward.
  • Une légère brise caresse les feuilles des arbres.
    A light breeze brushes the tree leaves.
  • Le parfum se mêle à la brise du soir.
    The perfume mixes with the evening breeze.

Common mistakes

The noun is often confused with the verb meaning to break.
IncorrectCorrect
La brise la fenêtre. La brise souffle à travers la fenêtre.
Je brise le vent. Je sens la brise.
Nous brise la mer. Nous ressentons la brise sur la mer.

Similar words

vent doux
zéphyr
courant d'air
aura
souffle
brise légère

Break, shatter

verb
physical
neutral
To cause something to separate into pieces or become damaged.

Usage

Use brise as a verb meaning to cause something to break, shatter, or become damaged.

Examples

  • Il brise le verre en le frappant.
    He breaks the glass by striking it.
  • Le choc brise la vitre du véhicule.
    The impact shatters the vehicle's window.
  • Elle brise la branche avec un coup de pied.
    She breaks the branch with a kick.
  • Le vent violent brise les fenêtres du chalet.
    The strong wind breaks the chalet's windows.
  • Le marteau brise la pierre en deux.
    The hammer splits the stone in two.
  • Le joueur brise le record du monde.
    The player breaks the world record.
  • Le silence brise l'atmosphère lourde.
    The silence breaks the heavy atmosphere.

Common mistakes

The verb is often misused for the noun or conjugated incorrectly.
IncorrectCorrect
Nous brise le bois. Nous brisons le bois.
Je brise la brise. Je sens la brise.
Il brise le verre doucement. Il casse le verre doucement.

Similar words

casser
fendre
fracturer
déchirer
briser
sabrer

Usage

Use brise for a light wind; use brise as a verb when something is broken or shattered.

Common mistakes

Confusing the noun wind sense with the verb break sense, e.g., la brise the glass.

Etymology

From Old French brise, perhaps from Old Provençal brisa, of uncertain origin.

FAQ

What does brise mean as a noun?

As a noun, brise refers to a light, gentle wind that moves air without strong force.

What does brise mean as a verb?

As a verb, brise means to cause something to break, shatter, or become damaged.

How is brise used in a sentence about weather?

Example: La brise souffle doucement – The breeze blows gently.

Can brise be used to describe breaking objects?

Yes, you can say Il brise le verre – He breaks the glass.

What is a common mistake with brise?

A frequent error is confusing the noun wind sense with the verb break sense, such as saying la brise le verre.

What are synonyms for brise (noun)?

Synonyms include vent doux, zéphyr, courant d'air, aura, souffle, and brise légère.

What are antonyms for brise (noun)?

Antonyms are tempête and ouragan.

What are related terms to brise (verb)?

Related terms include rupture, fragilité, débris, impact, force, solidité, construction, métal, verre, ciment, and sécurité.

Is brise used in any idiomatic expressions?

It appears in phrases like sentir la brise meaning to feel the gentle wind, but not in idioms for breaking.

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