choquer

Choquer is a French verb with several related meanings. It most commonly means to cause a strong emotional reaction, such as surprise, indignation, or offense. It can also describe a physical impact, as in something colliding or clashing with another object. In everyday language, choquer is used for both moral or aesthetic offense and for literal collisions, and the reflexive form se choquer can express being astonished or unsettled by something.

Etymology: The verb derives from the noun choc, meaning impact or collision, with the regular -er verb ending. The figurative sense of shocking someone arises from the image of an abrupt, attention-grabbing impact on sensibilities.

Conjugation and usage: Choquer is a regular -er verb. Present: je choque, tu choques, il choque, nous choquons, vous choquez, ils choquent. Past participle: choqué. Passé composé uses avoir: j'ai choqué. Se choquer uses être in the present: je me choque, tu te choques, il se choque, nous nous choquons, vous vous choquez, ils se choquent. The verb takes a direct object for the cause-to-effect sense (choquer quelqu’un) and can be followed by de ou par to indicate the source of the shock (choquer de/par quelque chose).

Usage notes: In media and opinion discourse, choquer often signals normative tension or controversy. Common phrases include choquer l’opinion publique, choquer les sensibilités, ou être choqué par une information. English equivalents vary by sense and include to shock, to offend, to startle, or to collide.