French translation of yawn is 
bâillement

Meaning of "yawn" in English

The word "yawn" refers to the involuntary action of opening one's mouth wide and inhaling deeply due to tiredness, boredom, or sleepiness. This reflex typically occurs when a person is in need of more oxygen or is unwinding, and it can be contagious as observing someone else yawning may trigger the same response. Beyond its literal meaning, "yawn" can also be used metaphorically to describe something uninteresting or monotonous, often referred to as being a "bore" or a "drag."

Meaning of "bâillement" in French

In French, "bâillement" carries a similar meaning to its English counterpart, as it signifies the act of yawning or the state of being in need of more oxygen due to tiredness or ennui. It is an involuntary action where the mouth opens wide, often accompanied by a deep breath. The term can also imply a sense of monotony or dullness when used metaphorically. Like in English, yawning can be contagious in social settings, triggering others to yawn upon seeing someone do so.

Pronunciation of "yawn" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /jɔːn/

Pronunciation Variations: In different English accents, such as British or American, slight variations may occur. For instance, in British English, it is pronounced with a more rounded vowel sound, while in American English, the vowel may sound slightly flatter.

Pronunciation of "bâillement" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /bajmɑ̃/

Pronunciation Variations: Regional accents across France can cause slight differences in pronunciation, especially in the nasal sound, but generally, the pronunciation remains consistent across French-speaking regions.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. I couldn't stop the yawn from escaping my mouth. - Je ne pouvais pas m'empêcher de bâiller.
2. The lecture was so dull that half the class began to yawn. - Le cours était si ennuyeux que la moitié de la classe a commencé à bâiller.
3. A yawn escaped as she stretched her arms above her head. - Un bâillement s'échappa alors qu'elle étendait ses bras au-dessus de sa tête.
4. He tried to stifle a yawn during the meeting. - Il a essayé de réprimer un bâillement pendant la réunion.
5. The baby let out a tiny yawn before falling asleep. - Le bébé a poussé un petit bâillement avant de s'endormir.
6. Seeing her friend yawn made her want to yawn too. - Voir son amie bâiller lui donna envie de bâiller aussi.
7. The long flight made everyone on the plane yawn frequently. - Le long vol a fait bâiller fréquemment tous les passagers de l'avion.
8. He covered his mouth with his hand when he felt a yawn coming. - Il a couvert sa bouche de sa main en sentant un bâillement arriver.
9. The yawns spread quickly through the group like a wave. - Les bâillements se sont propagés rapidement dans le groupe comme une vague.
10. She giggled at her own yawn in the quiet library. - Elle a ri doucement de son propre bâillement dans la bibliothèque silencieuse.

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

Synonyms: gape, open wide, doze, nap, snooze

Antonyms: focus, interest, attention, engage, captivate

Similar Words: sigh, stretch, blink, nod, snore

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

Synonyms: ouverture, oscitation, somnolence, étirement, langueur

Antonyms: intérêt, concentration, éveil, alerte, attention

Similar Words: soupir, étirer, cligner, sommeiller, ronfler

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