râler

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complain, grumble, rattle, gasp
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/ʁɑle/
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To make displeasure heard, or to produce a harsh sound while breathing.
Practice using râler in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Il râle dès que le train a cinq minutes de retard.
    He complains as soon as the train is five minutes late.
  • Elle râlait tout bas pour ne pas vexer son collègue.
    She grumbled under her breath so as not to offend her colleague.
  • Nous avons râlé contre la hausse des prix.
    We complained about the price increase.
  • Arrête de râler et propose une solution.
    Stop grumbling and suggest a solution.
  • Le vieux moteur râle avant de démarrer.
    The old engine rattles before starting.

Similar words

respirer bruyamment
se plaindre
gueuler
grogner
haleter
ronchonner
rouspéter
maugréer
protester
agoniser

Meanings

Complain or grumble

verb
social
informal
To voice annoyance or dissatisfaction repeatedly, often in a grumpy or forceful way.

Examples

  • Il râle dès que le train a cinq minutes de retard.
    He complains as soon as the train is five minutes late.
  • Arrête de râler et propose une solution.
    Stop grumbling and suggest a solution.
  • Nous avons râlé contre la hausse des prix.
    We complained about the price increase.
  • Elle râlait tout bas pour ne pas vexer son collègue.
    She grumbled under her breath so as not to offend her colleague.
  • Tu peux râler, mais évite de lui parler agressivement.
    You can complain, but avoid speaking to him aggressively.

Similar words

ronchonner
rouspéter
grogner
maugréer
pester
se plaindre
protester
gueuler

Breathe with a harsh rattle

verb
medical
neutral
To breathe with a rough rattling sound, especially because of severe illness or near death, and by extension to make a similar harsh noise.

Examples

  • Le blessé râlait en attendant les secours.
    The injured man gasped with a rattle while waiting for help.
  • On entendait le malade râler dans son sommeil.
    The patient could be heard breathing with a rattle in his sleep.
  • Le vieux moteur râle avant de démarrer.
    The old engine rattles before starting.
  • Le vent râlait dans la cheminée toute la nuit.
    The wind groaned in the chimney all night.
  • Après l'effort, il respirait en râlant.
    After the effort, he was breathing with a harsh rattle.

Similar words

haleter
respirer bruyamment
agoniser

Etymology

A doublet of French racler, 'to scrape'. The breathing sense is recorded from the 16th century, while the familiar sense 'to grumble or protest' is recorded from 1916.

FAQ

What does râler mean?

Râler usually means to complain or grumble, and it can also mean to breathe with a harsh rattling sound.

Is râler rude?

Râler is informal but not inherently rude. Its force depends on tone, and gueuler is much stronger.

How do you pronounce râler?

Râler is pronounced /ʁɑle/.

What is the difference between râler and se plaindre?

Râler suggests audible irritation or grumpiness, while se plaindre is the more neutral way to say 'complain'.

Where does râler come from?

Râler is related to racler, 'to scrape', and first described a rough breathing sound.

What forms of râler are useful to know?

The present form is je râle, and the past participle is râlé.

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