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subitement

suddenly

adverb syoo-beet-MAHN Rare
Time Time Expressions

Origin: from subit 'sudden' + -ment

Also means

all at once

Usage Note

Subitement is a slightly more literary or emphatic alternative to soudain or tout à coup. It stresses the abrupt, unexpected nature of a change. Subit (the adjective) means 'sudden' and can describe things like une mort subite ('a sudden death').

Examples

"Subitement, la lumière s'est éteinte."

Natural Translation

Suddenly, the light went out.

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