coup

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/ku/

nounmasculineSing

blow; hit; strike

impact; shock

Il a reçu un coup pendant le match de foot.

He got hit during the soccer match.

Synonyms:frappe, choc, impact

nounmasculineSing

a drink (informal)

On va boire un coup ce soir ?

Shall we go have a drink tonight?

Synonyms:verre

nounmasculineSing

a sudden action, move or operation (often planned or decisive)

a try; an attempt; a short effort

Ils ont monté un coup pour cambrioler la banque.

They hatched a plan to rob the bank.

Synonyms:manœuvre, tentative, attaque

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Coup (masculine noun) primarily means "hit," "blow," or "stroke." It also signifies a sudden action, attempt, or turn of events.

USAGE

It's very common in idiomatic expressions:

*un coup de main* (a helping hand),

*tout d'un coup* (all of a sudden),

*du coup* (so, common french filling),

*donner un coup* (to hit/strike),

*un coup de fil* (a phone call).

It often implies a single, decisive action.

TRAPS

Pronounce it /ku/, like "coo." Don't confuse it with *coûte* (verb "to cost") or *coupe* (noun "cup" or verb "to cut"). The meaning varies greatly with context.