coup de foudre
Un coup de foudre is love at first sight — literally 'a bolt of lightning'. The image is exact: a sudden, electrifying connection that strikes without warning. You'll hear 'avoir un coup de foudre pour quelqu'un' — to fall for someone instantly. It works for things too: apartments, dresses, whole cities.
Where you'll hear it
Enzo
Oui, j'ai toujours su qu'elle serait une magnifique mariée. Mais tu sais ce que j'ai entendu à propos du couple ?
Yes, I always knew she would be a magnificent bride. But do you know what I heard about the couple?
Juliette
Oh, les potins commencent déjà ? Ça suffit. [peu après] Ben ok raconte !
Oh, are the gossips starting already? That's enough. [a little later] Okay then, tell me!
Enzo
Eh bien, malgré leur coup de foudre, il semble que tout n'est pas rose. Des rumeurs disent qu'ils ont eu des hauts et des bas récemment.
Well, despite their love at first sight, it seems that not everything is rosy. Rumors say they've had their ups and downs recently.
Juliette
Oh non ! Mais, regarde-les. Ils semblent tellement amoureux. Comment peuvent-ils avoir des problèmes ?
Oh no! But, look at them. They seem so in love. How can they have problems?
How it shows up
J'ai eu un coup de foudre pour cet appartement.
I fell in love with this apartment at first sight.
Entre eux, ça a été le coup de foudre.
For them, it was love at first sight.
Le coup de foudre existe, j'en suis sûre.
Love at first sight exists, I'm sure of it.
Related expressions
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