Skip to content

grouiller

swarm, teem

verb groo-YEH Less Common
People & Society Community

Also means

hurry up (colloquial)

Usage Note

Grouiller means to swarm or teem with something: la place grouille de touristes — the square is teeming with tourists. In colloquial or informal French, se grouiller means to hurry up or get a move on, similar to se dépêcher but more familiar. The image of swarming insects underlies both senses.

Examples

"La place grouille de monde le dimanche."

Natural Translation

The square is teeming with people on Sunday.

Explore French by topic