French Phrase
Il avait la trouille.
Meaning
This is a popular colloquial French expression used to describe someone feeling intense fear or anxiety. The word 'trouille' is a slang term for fear, often implying a physical reaction like trembling or being 'spooked'.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings with friends or family to describe someone being afraid. It is perfect for talking about reactions to scary movies, heights, or stressful situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilavaitlatrouille
Avait (Avoir)
The verb 'avoir' is used in the imperfect tense (imparfait) to describe an ongoing state of feeling in the past.
La trouille
This is an idiomatic noun phrase. Even though it translates to 'scared' (an adjective) in English, it functions as a noun in French.
🗨In Conversation
Pourquoi est-ce qu'il n'est pas monté sur le manège ?
Why didn't he get on the ride?
Je crois qu'il avait la trouille.
I think he was scared.
✕Common Mistakes
Il était la trouille.
In French, you 'have' fear (avoir), you are not 'being' fear (être).
Il avait le trouille.
'Trouille' is a feminine noun, so it must be preceded by 'la'.
↔Alternatives
Il avait peur.
He was afraid.
Il était mort de peur.
He was scared to death.
Il avait la frousse.
He had the jitters.
Cultural Tip
While 'avoir peur' is the standard way to say someone is afraid, 'avoir la trouille' is much more common in daily spoken French. It belongs to the 'familier' register, so avoid using it in formal writing or with your boss.