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ennui

boredom, trouble

noun ah-NWEE Less Common

Also means

worry, annoyance

Usage Note

Ennui in French covers boredom (mourir d'ennui, to be bored to death) as well as a vague sense of trouble or worry (avoir des ennuis, to have problems). English borrowed the word 'ennui' directly, but restricted it to the existential or melancholic sense. The verb ennuyer means 'to bore' or 'to bother', and the reflexive s'ennuyer means 'to be bored'.

Examples

"Il ressent un profond ennui le dimanche."

Natural Translation

He feels a deep boredom on Sundays.

Literal Translation

He feels a deep boredom the Sunday

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