L’enfer (en. Hell)

/l‿ɛ̃.fɛʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

State of torment, intense pain.

For him, the loss of his friend was a true hell.

Pour lui, la perte de son ami était un véritable enfer.

In some religions, a place where the souls of sinners are punished after death.

Believers fear going to hell after their death.

Les croyants craignent d'aller en enfer après leur décès.

Symbolically, a very painful or unpleasant living environment.

His life at work was hell due to his demanding boss.

Sa vie au travail était un enfer à cause de son patron exigeant.

The word comes from the Latin 'infernum', meaning 'what is below', in reference to the underworld.

hell is paved with good intentions

The expression means that well-intentioned actions can lead to negative outcomes.

l'enfer est pavé de bonnes intentions

to return to hell

Used when someone is facing great difficulties or suffering.

retourner en enfer

it's hell

Used to describe particularly difficult or unpleasant situations.

c'est l'enfer

paradise

Place of eternal happiness, often opposed to hell.

paradis

suffering

State of enduring pain or trials.

souffrance

torment

Action of tormenting, state of mental or physical suffering.

tourment

A very difficult or even unmanageable situation.

With all this homework, it's hell next week.

Avec tous ces devoirs, c'est un enfer la semaine prochaine.

To designate a particularly unpleasant person or situation.

This guy is hell, he won't stop complaining.

Ce type est un enfer, il n'arrête pas de se plaindre.