Soudain

Soudain is a French adjective and adverb meaning “sudden” or “happening in a short time,” used to describe events, changes, sounds, or feelings that occur quickly and without warning. As an adjective, it agrees with the noun it modifies: un changement soudain, une apparition soudaine. As an adverb, it conveys abruptness, though speakers often prefer tout à coup or subitement for explicit adverbial meaning.

Etymology: The term derives from Old French soudain, ultimately from Latin subitaneus, meaning “coming on suddenly.” The pronunciation is typically su.dɛ̃ in standard French.

Usage: Soudain commonly appears in narrative and descriptive prose to emphasize abrupt onset. It is neutral in tone but can carry a sense of surprise or disruption, depending on context. Common collocations include un bruit soudain, une douleur soudaine, une crise soudaine, or un changement soudain.

Variants and related terms: The feminine form is soudaine, and the plural is soudains (masculine) or soudaine(s) (feminine). Related synonyms include brusque or brusquement as adverbs; subit and subitement are closely related in meaning, while graduel or progressif express gradual onset.

See also: tout à coup, subitement, brusque, graduel, progressif.