How do you say "Suddenly!" in French?

"Suddenly!" in French is "D'un coup !". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘Suddenly!’ in French

Q: What does "D'un coup !" mean in English?

"D'un coup !" means "Suddenly!" in English. Usage tip: [D'un coup] is an idiomatic way to say 'all of a sudden' or 'in one go,' not literally 'of a blow.' You can reuse it in everyday speech: [il est parti d'un coup].

D'un coup !

d uhn koo

[d uhn koo]

💬 Usage Tip: [D'un coup] is an idiomatic way to say 'all of a sudden' or 'in one go,' not literally 'of a blow.' You can reuse it in everyday speech: [il est parti d'un coup].

Phrase Breakdown

[d]

of / from

Shortened form of 'de' before a vowel; here it is part of the fixed expression 'd'un coup'.

Example

Dans "D'", on commence une expression qui indique la soudaineté.

In "D'," we begin an expression that indicates suddenness.

[uhn]

a / one

An indefinite article or the number one; here it is part of a set phrase.

Example

Dans "un", on complète l'expression figée "d'un coup".

In "un," we complete the fixed expression "d'un coup."

coup

[koo]

suddenly / all at once

In the expression 'd'un coup', it means suddenly or all at once.

Example

Le mot "coup" sert ici à exprimer une réaction brusque devant l'écran.

The word "coup" here is used to express a sudden reaction in front of the screen.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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