![]() | |
Share / Tweet / Pin Me! |
French Expression
Meaning | open-mouthed, agape | |
Literally | mouth open | |
Register | normal but old-fashioned | |
Pronunciation | [boosh bay] | |
IPA | [buʃ be] |
Usage notes: The French expression bouche bée indicates tremendous surprise, either good or bad: the person is so astonished that s/he is standing open-mouthed and staring at the source of the surprise. Bouche bée has numerous possible translations:
- to be agape
- to be flabbergasted
- to be stunned
- to drop one’s jaw
- to stand agape
- to stand gaping
- to stand open-mouthed
Bouche bée can be used on its own or with the verbs être, rester, or regarder.
Par exemple…
Bouche bée, il a regardé fixement le tableau étonnant pendant dix minutes. | He stared, gaping, at the astonishing painting for ten minutes. | |
J’en suis bouche bée ! | I’m flabbergasted (about it)! | |
Elle m’a regardé bouché bée. | She stared at me in amazement. |
The word bée is the feminine past participle of the literary verb béer – to be wide open. The expression bouche bée a bit old-fashioned, so you should use it sparingly.
Synonyms
- abasourdi – stunned
- ahuri – stupefied
- béant – wide open
- choqué – shocked
- ébahi – astounded
- étonné – astonished
- sans voix – speechless
- stupéfié – stupefied
- surpris – surprised
Informal
- baba – astonished
- sidéré – staggered, dumbfounded
Related lessons
Share / Tweet / Pin Me!
You must log in to post a comment.