Cercueil (en. Coffin)

/sɛʁ.kœj/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Container for the body of the deceased.

The coffin was made of oak.

Le cercueil a été fabriqué en chêne.

Term used in a funeral context.

They chose a simple coffin for the ceremony.

Ils ont choisi un cercueil simple pour la cérémonie.

Symbol of death.

The coffin is often adorned with flowers.

Le cercueil est souvent orné de fleurs.

From the Latin 'cercueil', which comes from the word 'cercueuil' in Old French.

to enter the coffin

To face death.

entrer dans le cercueil

to leave the coffin open

To encourage visits to the deceased.

laisser le cercueil ouvert

to follow the coffin

To participate in a funeral procession.

suivre le cercueil

funerals

Ceremony to honor the deceased.

funérailles

burial

Action of placing a body in a coffin and burying it.

inhumation

cremation

Process of reducing a body to ashes.

crémation

Term used to refer to a very serious situation.

This matter is a coffin for him, he won't get out of it.

Cette affaire est un cercueil pour lui, il n'en sortira pas.

To evoke death in a humorous way.

Don't talk about your project, it's going to end up in a coffin!

Ne parle pas de ton projet, ça va finir dans un cercueil!