French Phrase
La culpabilité peut peser lourd.
Meaning
This phrase describes the intense psychological and emotional burden that comes with feeling responsible for a wrongdoing. It uses the physical metaphor of weight to express how guilt can affect a person's mental state and daily life.
When to use
Use this phrase in serious or reflective conversations about emotions, ethics, or mental health. It is often used when discussing someone's internal struggle after making a mistake.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laculpabilitépeutpeserlourd
Peut (Pouvoir)
The verb 'pouvoir' means 'can' or 'to be able to'. Here it is conjugated in the third person singular to match 'la culpabilité'.
Peser lourd
This is an idiomatic construction where 'lourd' (heavy) modifies the verb 'peser' (to weigh) directly, similar to 'sentir bon' (to smell good).
🗨In Conversation
Il ne dort plus depuis qu'il a menti à son ami.
He hasn't slept since he lied to his friend.
C'est compréhensible, la culpabilité peut peser lourd.
It's understandable, guilt can weigh heavily.
✕Common Mistakes
La culpabilité peut peser lourdement.
While 'lourdement' is an adverb, the idiomatic expression in French is 'peser lourd' where 'lourd' acts as the adverbial complement.
La culpabilité peut poids lourd.
'Poids' is the noun for 'weight'; you must use the verb 'peser' to say 'to weigh'.
↔Alternatives
Le poids de la culpabilité est difficile à porter.
The weight of guilt is hard to bear.
Se sentir coupable est épuisant.
Feeling guilty is exhausting.
Cultural Tip
In French literature and philosophy, the concept of 'culpabilité' is a recurring theme. The French often use physical sensations (weight, heat, cold) to describe complex abstract emotions in both formal and casual settings.