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bouchon

cork, stopper

noun boo-SHOHN Rare

Also means

traffic jam

Usage Note

Bouchon is the cork or cap that seals a bottle, but in everyday French it also means a traffic jam — être pris dans les bouchons ('to be stuck in traffic') is very commonly heard. In Lyon, un bouchon also refers to a traditional, informal Lyonnaise restaurant, a usage unique to that city.

Examples

"Il y a un bouchon sur l'autoroute ce soir."

Natural Translation

There is a traffic jam on the motorway tonight.

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