French translation of balk is 
balk

Meaning of "balk" in English

The term "balk" in English refers to the act of hesitating or refusing to proceed with an action or task. It can also mean to prevent or obstruct a process or activity. In sports, particularly baseball, "balk" denotes an illegal motion by a pitcher intended to deceive a runner. The word highlights a sense of reluctance or impediment, underscoring either a deliberate pause or an involuntary hesitance in progression.

Meaning of "balk" in French

In French, "balk" is not a common word, and its usage is more aligned with the English meaning of obstruction or hindrance. The term may also translate to "rechigner," signifying a reluctance or unwillingness to perform an action. In specific contexts, particularly in sports like baseball, it would maintain the same connotation of an unlawful move by a pitcher attempting to deceive a runner. Therefore, "balk" in French context typically conveys barriers or hesitation in progression or action.

Pronunciation of "balk" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /bɔːk/

Pronunciation Variations: In American English, it might be pronounced as /bɑːk/ with a more open 'a' sound. The British pronunciation tends to emphasize a longer 'ɔː' sound. The pronunciation may slightly vary regionally, but these differences are subtle and often indistinct to non-native speakers.

Pronunciation of "balk" in French

Phonetic Transcription: [there is no direct French phonetic transcription]

Pronunciation Variations: As the word is typically understood in an English context, it isn't commonly used in spoken French. Instead, speakers use terms like "rechigner" or "hésiter," which have their own pronunciations: rechigner /ʁə.ʃi.ɲe/ and hésiter /e.zi.te/. "Balk" adopted as a loanword would likely retain its English pronunciation among French speakers familiar with the term's original language context.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. He tends to balk at making big decisions. (Il a tendance à rechigner à prendre de grandes décisions.)
2. The horse balked at the jump and refused to go further. (Le cheval s'est arrêté net devant l'obstacle et a refusé d'aller plus loin.)
3. Many people balk at the idea of public speaking. (Beaucoup de gens rechignent à parler en public.)
4. She didn't balk in the face of adversity. (Elle n'a pas hésité face à l'adversité.)
5. The manager may balk at the high costs of the project. (Le directeur pourrait rechigner devant les coûts élevés du projet.)
6. Parents often balk when children are defiant. (Les parents rechignent souvent lorsque les enfants sont rebelles.)
7. He balks at trying new foods. (Il rechigne à essayer de nouveaux aliments.)
8. The committee balked at the suggested amendments. (Le comité a hésité devant les amendements proposés.)
9. If you balk at the rules, you'll face penalties. (Si vous rechignez aux règles, vous ferez face à des pénalités.)
10. Sometimes, they balk at changing a routine. (Parfois, ils rechignent à changer une routine.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "balk" in English

Synonyms: hesitate, flinch, resist, recoil, demur, obstruct, impede, thwart, check, frustrate.

Antonyms: advance, proceed, continue, persist, conform, comply, allow, assist, encourage, facilitate.

Similar Words: pause, stall, hinder, interrupt, block, forestall, balky, vacillate, waver, falter.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "balk" in French

Synonyms: hésiter, rechigner, résister, freiner, contrecarrer, refuser, suspendre, entraver, obstruer, refuser.

Antonyms: avancer, poursuivre, continuer, persister, conformer, permettre, faciliter, encourager, approuver, coopérer.

Similar Words: pause, interruption, barrière, obstacle, contrainte, frein, arrêt, hésitation, dérouter, décevoir.

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