dégonflé

dégonflé is a French slang adjective that literally means “deflated” and figuratively describes a person who feels disappointed, let down, or emotionally exhausted. The term derives from the verb gonfler, meaning to inflate, and carries the visual metaphor of a balloon or tyre losing air. The practice of using such a metaphor to describe emotional states is common in informal French, giving a vivid sense of the person’s lack of energy or enthusiasm.

The word entered spoken French in the late 20th century, and it is widely spread among younger speakers, especially in urban contexts. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts: “Après la rupture, il était dégónflé” (After the breakup, he was dejected) or “Le match a été abandonné, on était tous dégónflés” (The match was abandoned, we were all discouraged). In sports commentary, a slang usage can describe a team that has lost momentum: “Les attaquants étaient dégónflés, ils n’en faisaient plus qu’une bouchée.” The noun form, dégonflage, also refers to the act of deflating a tyre or vacuum.

In literature and media, it appears in casual dialogues, advertising slogans, and popular songs. The word has become part of everyday colloquial speech, although it is considered informal and unsuitable for formal writing or journalism. Synonyms often used are “déprimé”, “abattu”, “exaspéré” and “dégoûté”, each with slightly different nuances. Despite its informal status, dégonflé has gained a stable place in contemporary French language, reflecting the expressive power of physical metaphors in describing emotional states.